Families in Texas may experience a freeze that wipes out a city, and coastlines receive visits from more hurricanes than they can handle. Climate change is happening everywhere, and you might feel uneasy as a news story pops up daily detailing its impact. You can navigate the issue gracefully and purposefully by understanding climate change anxiety and how to manage it efficiently.

What Is Climate Change Anxiety?

The media constantly perpetuates the idea that the world is burning — the climate crisis has had irreversible consequences, and humanity isn’t working fast enough to mitigate the damage. You could be curious about how the world will look for future generations to the point of fear. It could manifest as grief over lost species, anger at regulatory bodies, or, in worst-case scenarios, a lost sense of self or purpose because you’re unsure how to act.   

These statements would cause anguish in most, especially as societal pressures against women force them to carry the emotional burden of this distress — this is the root of climate change anxiety. Despite global progress to reduce carbon emissions, the atmosphere around the climate conversation is predominantly doom-and-gloom instead of highlighting humanity’s optimistic progress. 

Luckily, you’re not alone, and there are numerous ways to curb climate change anxiety while helping the planet heal.

1. Mindfully Acknowledge Emotions

How you describe your relationship with your emotions is crucial for coping with climate change anxiety. You will see irritating headlines and say, “I am disappointed.” The word “am” here signifies your identity is contingent upon your emotion, giving the feeling the power to overtake you.

Anxiety management requires you to have power over your emotions, so begin by changing your language to stop identifying as them. Instead, say, “I feel disappointed.” It still allows you to feel your feelings but provides a springboard for action. You know what triggered the disappointment, so what can you do to feel differently or productively respond to that emotion? It minimizes wallowing and boosts agency because you increase your emotional resilience.

2. Understand Corporate and Individual Responsibility

Corporations cause the most harm to the planet because of production, industry and waste. Individuals have a responsibility too, but one of the best ways to lessen climate change anxiety is to make this distinction — the responsibility for saving the planet isn’t entirely your job. Throw cultural assumptions about women being the caretakers out the window because they won’t serve you here. 

Though the zero-waste movement and consumerism stress households over how many green changes they make, it’s a joint effort among companies, governments and families. Women can do their best within their capabilities — the planet will be content with that effort. Assume as much individual eco-responsibility as possible to alleviate climate change anxiety.

3. Reduce Friction for Advocacy

Now is the time for women to raise their voices and express their climate change concerns to corporate entities. Advocacy feels daunting, but there are ways to minimize the effort you need to make to ease your way into sustainability advocacy.  

You don’t need to travel nationwide to climate marches or write petitions with thousands of signatures to be a champion for the planet. Here’s what you can do to dip your toes into fighting against climate change:

 

●      Write a letter or call a local business and tell them that 66% of customers are willing to pay higher prices for products if they make them sustainably.

●      Join online social media groups to learn more about local organizations or events making a positive impact. 

●      Spend time in nature to experience the positive mental health benefits and share that with friends and family.

●      If voting gives you anxiety, register for absentee ballots to vote at home to have a say in climate change policy.

●      Find a friend or family member to discuss environmentalist ideas and brainstorm what you can do together.

4. Spread the Word

Perpetual education and conversation about climate change is the most prominent way to advocate for the planet. Learning helps you cope because it promotes rationale and curiosity despite challenges. Here are some topics you can learn more about so your community — no matter the demographic — can reduce climate change anxiety through knowledge and curiosity:

 

●      Pollutants’ effects on the air, water, soil and human health

●      Environmental regulations of your region and country

●      Recycling management methods

●      Agricultural practices, composting or food waste

●      Advancements in green technology

●      Animal safety and habitat security

●      Ocean health and aquatic preservation

●      Renewable energy creation

●      Environmental impacts of your job sector, whether it’s education or marketing

●      Ecological implications of your hobby, whether it’s video games or fashion 

Dig as deep or as little into these topics as you wish. Climate change anxiety can arise from feeling like there’s so much to learn, but it’s vital to remember any amount of effort in learning any subject makes a difference. Choose what intrigues you the most and express your interests enthusiastically however you want.

Turning Climate Change Anxiety Into Action

You can flip worry on its head into something positive — turn climate change anxiety into a positive impact that can change the world. Transforming the narrative into one that’s motivational will help the species progress. Turning your concerns into effective advocacy will make a greener planet and a happier population.

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Mia Barnes is a health and wellness writer and the Editor In Chief at Body+Mind. She especially enjoys writing about mental health, physical well-being, mindfulness, and healthy living. When she's not writing, you can find Mia reading romance novels, jogging, and trying new recipes!