If Twitter is anything to go by, I wasn’t the only one unable to sleep on the night of the US election. Jerked awake each hour with a compulsive need to check which states had declared, unable to eat a full meal without feeling slightly sick and an overwhelming feeling of dread of what was to come.
“You’re not even American!” many would exclaim, without comprehending the root cause of my concerns: I knew another four years of a President who claimed global warming was ‘mythical’ would not be catastrophic for climate change anxiety sufferers like myself across the world.
With bushfires ravaging across Australia, extreme weather conditions increasingly evident and young figures such as Greta Thunberg reminding us of the failures of those in power when it comes to the issue, climate change anxiety is universal.
Speaking to the BBC, psychotherapist and researcher Caroline Hickman described climate anxiety is “a reasonable and healthy response to an existential threat”, yet I think to most, it doesn’t feel particularly healthy.
Looking frantically through the fridge to try and avoid food waste, feeling a pit in your stomach as you count the number of people on the tube still using a plastic bottle, unable to enjoy a trip to the beach or park without noticing every last bit of rubbish you walk by.
For those that suffer from climate change anxiety, these thoughts are all too familiar on the path to becoming the model eco-friendly individual, yet to sufferers they feel anything but healthy. Rather, they pervade every element of your daily life.
These thoughts define what you eat, where you buy your clothes and whether you decide to go on holiday or not. Sometimes, they are life defining: the question of whether it is ethical to have children, for example, has become increasingly common.
In a poll conducted by Business Insider, more than a third of millennials declared that climate change is a major consideration when deciding whether to have children.
Admittedly, Biden getting elected provided a short term release. While we await to see whether his measures go far enough, at least we have a sense of hope that things will get better.
He has already declared that one of his first acts as President will be to rejoin The Paris Agreement, the international treaty on climate change. Yet, this doesn’t feel like a long term solution. So, here’s a few strategies that may help the next time you feel a sense of impending doom.
Remember it’s not your fault.
Yes, everyone plays their role. However in my opinion, one of the main reasons for the rise in climate change anxiety is that the onus has been placed on the individuals. The reality? Just 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions. We can all help by putting pressure on them, however it’s vital to remember that climate change is not the fault of individuals like you and I.
Let it out.
You’ve heard it before, but a problem shared really is a problem halved. Talking about your worries and sharing your thoughts with friends and families is a great way to feel like you are working towards a better planet together with others. And who knows, it may just inspire positive change on their end as well.
Go easy on yourself.
Sometimes you will get it wrong. Perhaps you forgot your reusable cutlery or water bottle and are forced to buy plastic. Remind yourself that we don’t need one person doing everything perfectly, but lots of people trying their best.
Set practical goals.
Whether it’s a meat free monday or reducing the amount of flights you take in a year, setting practical goals will allow you to celebrate your climate success.
Read good news.
Watching or reading hours of news on end rarely leaves anyone feeling good. Instagram accounts such as Future Earth and The Happy Broadcast help to remind you of all the good things going on in the world.
Explore climate activism.
If you’re still left feeling like you could do more, start to explore climate activism. There may be a local group, a society at your University or a panel at work you can join and do your bit to make the world a better place.
