Climate change has increased my anxiety
Sherae talks about the impact of climate change on her mental health and the positive things she’s done to tackle it.
For me, climate change is anxiety inducing. I see so much on social media about how ‘the world could end in 50 years if nothing is done to stop global warming’. I hear about how animals are close to extinction because humans are destroying their habitats and that the coral reefs are dying due to oil spills and plastic pollution.
As well as making me anxious, climate change makes me feel guilty. Whilst I know I’m not dumping oil into the sea or trying to destroy the planet, I can’t help but think of times that I may have put recycling in the wrong bin or forgotten to turn the heating off before going out. All these little things start to add up, and I start to feel like I’m not doing enough.
“When I see stories about climate change I sit and think, ‘Could it be partly my fault?’ That’s when the anxiety creeps in.”
When I then see these stories, I sit and think, “Could it be partly my fault?” That’s when the anxiety creeps in. Anxiety and worry feel different for everyone, but personally I experience a faster heart rate, a sense of dread or the feeling something terrible is going to happen and constant thoughts that aren’t always logical.
When I start to feel this way, the first thing I do is get off social media. Whilst social media can be a good source of information, it can also contain false information or posts aimed to scare others.
Putting away my phone allows me to process my emotions and distract myself with other tasks. I usually go for something stimulating like a puzzle, wordsearch or game. I also like to sit and think about ways I’ve made a positive difference to climate change.
For example, I took part in a 3-month workshop where we turned hi-vis jackets from HS2 workers into tote bags. This was an eye-opening experience that taught me any materials can be repurposed if you use your imagination. It also made sure the jackets didn’t end up in a landfill.
“Remembering I’m not alone is another thing that helps me to stay grounded and think calmly when experiencing climate change anxiety."
Additionally, I wrote to my local MP when I was in youth parliament about reducing plastic pollution. You don’t need to do the same things to make a difference. Being climate conscious and recycling are equally effective, and can make you feel better, whilst reducing climate change anxiety.
Remembering I’m not alone is another thing that helps me to stay grounded and think calmly when experiencing climate change anxiety. When you acknowledge that you’re not alone in your worries about climate change and that you don’t have to try to tackle it alone, it feels like a weight is lifted off your shoulders.
There are so many people in the world who care about climate change too and are doing incredible things to raise awareness and stop it from getting worse. It might not be possible for you to do certain things, and that’s okay. Activism is a collective thing. I can be incredibly forgetful, so having someone remind me to make sure the tap is turned off or to turn off the lights in rooms I’ve left ensures I feel less guilty. In return I might remind someone that a certain item can be recycled or used again.
“Talking to others allows me to release my feelings instead of keeping them bottled up. It’s also how change begins.”
The thing that has helped me most is just talking about it. So many of us are worried about climate change, but they are intimidated by the possibility that others don’t care. There are lots of people in the world who aren’t climate conscious, but there are loads who are. I’ve had experiences where I’ve spoken about climate change and it’s given someone a new perspective on the matter. Talking to others allows me to release my feelings instead of keeping them bottled up. It’s also how change begins. Words can become actions.
If you want to do something about climate change start small. Make sure you’re not using unnecessary energy. Turn off taps, lights and other electrical outlets before leaving the house. Walk, cycle or use public transport if you’re able to.
“It’s scary watching the world around you change. However, it’s important to not let it stop you from living your life and appreciating the beauty of the earth.”
“Reduce, reuse and recycle” is a commonly heard phrase. But what does it mean? It means looking at the materials you throw away, and thinking about whether this could be repurposed. You could also try to buy things that last a while, like a thermal bottle instead of a plastic one. Then, when an item has reached the end of its lifetime make sure it goes into the right bin. If you want to go bigger, you could join a campaign, volunteer at a community garden or write to a local councillor or MP. There are so many options, a lot of which are fun and can get you to meet with like-minded people.
Overall, there’s nothing wrong with feeling anxious about climate change. It can be a scary thing watching the world around you change in real time. However, it’s important to not let it stop you from living your life and appreciating the beauty of the earth. There are some lovely nature reserves and parks across the UK, so don’t be afraid to check them out.
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