Look, let’s face it – climate change is a big deal and is obviously not going to bean easy “fix,” because it is a massive problem with many different moving parts. But we all must find the courage to act, even though as individuals we tend to view ourselves as powerless. Not true. Our power comes in large numbers of people fighting for the same things, and everyone must start somewhere. Look at Greta Thunberg who became an environmental activist and began protesting at the age of fifteen. She certainly got the attention of leaders all over the world.
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Whether this quote is attributable to Joseph P. Kennedy, Knute Rockne, or “Pluto” in the movie “Animal House,” it’s as true today as it was 100 years ago. Right now, with climate change, the going is tough, so what are we going to do about it? Wait, hope, and pray for someone else to fix everything for us? I don’t think so. I don’t think people realize how much power they have (please read the articles in our “Power to the People” section). YOU have a voice which MUST be heard, and together with hundreds, thousands, or millions of like-minded people, that voice will become louder and louder until it cannot be ignored. Do you want to live your life with “the generalized sense that the ecological foundations of existence are in the process of collapse” or have a “chronic fear of environmental doom” as something you cannot stop thinking about? That is how the American Psychological Association describes eco-anxiety. Nobody should blame you if you are worried and angry about the future when many of our problems could and should have been addressed and prevented by earlier generations if prompt measures had been taken and implemented on time. But really, what is worrying and being angry going to do for you and for the environment? It is time to act! The past is in the past. To coin a phrase: that was then, and this is now!
If you are sick and tired of listening to empty promises or seeing little being done, find people who not only share your views and concerns, but are also trying to make a difference by their actions. Learn about climate change, carbon emissions, sea level rise, green energy, sustainability, aquaculture, coral reef restoration, air and water pollution, deforestation, endangered species and extinction, plastics, etc. Judge for yourself what is fact and what is fiction. Learn to spot misinformation, disinformation, frauds, and ridiculous conspiracy theories. Anyone can post anything on social media and do it with a complete disregard for the truth. Reach out and talk to people who feel like you do and are worried about the future, so you realize you are not alone and that there are many people who feel like you. Don’t seethe or keep everything inside you. Find someone you can vent to about your frustrations and fears about climate change. Get outside, go to the zoo or aquarium, get in touch with nature, smell the roses. Watch and listen to the birds which most of us have taken for granted. They are rapidly disappearing. It comes down to what is important to you, and what are your true priorities. It also takes being honest with yourself, so you are not just going through the motions. Acknowledge that you are worried, fearful, depressed, or angry and do something about it.
You can also get involved in environmental groups like college and high school clubs. Learn about the new technology addressing climate change in so many different areas. Find out who are the sustainable and environmentally conscious investors and financiers in the world. See who is making donations. Check into composting and growing organic vegetables in a garden. Find out how you can reduce your carbon footprint in realistic and manageable ways like biking, eating less meat, taking shorter showers to save water, and using cool water showers to save heat energy. Get a water filter for your sink and drink tap water instead of bottled water. Try to find passionate and optimistic people who care about making changes to help the environment. Get involved in something that may help your community. Maybe it’s giving out water, helping neighbors with the heat, helping educate younger people about climate change, getting involved with recycling, or using less plastic. Join groups collecting garbage on a beach or field. It doesn’t have to be a big project – it can be small. But you may start seeing successes and progress being made in your community which may not only make you feel better but may also encourage other people like you to get involved.
Do yourself a favor and limit your time on social media or watching the news pertaining to climate change or climate related disasters. A lot of news coverage is sensational, overdramatic, and inaccurate and the same event or catastrophe is often repeated ad nauseum. Focus on the present and what you are doing NOW because we have no control of tomorrow or what the future holds in store for us. Feel good about yourself instead of beating yourself up.
If you want to feel good about a healthy perspective about climate change, check out Pique Action (referenced below), a media startup launched in 2021. In a world which often tends to be cynical, pessimistic, and overdramatic, Pique Action candidly discusses climate change while accentuating the positive developments in climate solutions, and what people around the world are doing to help change our future. “We want to focus on human ingenuity and focus on the things that we can tangibly do,” said Kip Pastor, the founder and CEO. “We know that fear-based storytelling can be quite effective at capturing attention. We are trying to be the antidote to that.”
References:
https://www.vox.com/even-better/23778284/tips-cope-climate-anxiety
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/10122022/tiktok-pique-action-stories/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327354#how-to-manage
https://www.npr.org/2022/11/17/1137156134/kids-youth-coping-climate-change
