It’s no question that the media is bombarding us with a
dismal prognosis for the planet. We are being exposed to images of parched
landscapes, scary stats, and concerning changes in temperature on T.V., in our
social media feeds, and on the news. I’ve noticed that the people around me are
expressing angst in relation to climate change, and what this might mean for
our future. It appears we are living in an age where eco-anxiety (that is,
anxiety in relation to environmental issues) is widespread.
Historically, people have always been subject to angst in
relation to the profound questions of human experience. A branch of philosophy
known as existentialism, which originated in the 20th
century, is primarily concerned with the pursuit of knowledge regarding the
meaning of life. This field draws on factors such as free-will, choice, and
individual responsibility in an attempt to alleviate the anguish that can stem
from questioning one’s existence. Eco-anxiety is essentially a form of
existential anxiety resulting from the fear of climate change, and it’s
affecting more and more people as environmental issues continue to
escalate.
As you might be aware, anxiety experienced in response to
real threats to our survival that helps us to respond to stressors is not only
useful, but crucial to our survival. For example, if should have the misfortune
to bump into a tiger one day, we would likely experience anxiety symptoms such
as an accelerated heart-rate, sweaty palms and dilated pupils. These changes
help us to navigate the situation to protect our survival. With this in mind,
some anxiety regarding environmental issues is warranted if it helps us to
respond to the very real threat of climate change and a loss of biodiversity.
Eco-anxiety also goes hand-in-hand with another similar
concept called ecological grief. This phenomenon is being researched at the
University of Western Australia, and researchers theorise that individuals
experience the grieving process in response to experienced or anticipated
ecological losses and environmental demise. Therefore, if you’ve been feeling
deeply saddened by environmental issues, you’re absolutely not alone.
Ecological grief is still in the early stages of research, but as more is
uncovered about this experience, we’ll be able to better understand what it is,
and how we can manage it.
What are some things we can do to manage eco-anxiety?
Stay connected
Psychologists suggest that the combination of guilt, grief
and fear we might feel in relation to environmental issues could be due in part
to broader sociological factors, such as increased disconnectedness from other
people characteristics of the digital age. Climate change is something we are
all experiencing, so if you reach out it is highly likely that you will find that
others have similar concerns. Being able to share and talk through your
concerns is really important, because it helps us to feel less alone, as well
as think about some off the ways we can intervene.
Talk to someone
If the eco-anxiety or ecological grief you are experiencing
is having a negative effect on your daily life, it might be a good idea to chat
to a psychologist or counsellor about what you’re experiencing. These mental
health professionals are skilled at unpacking our worries and concerns so that
we can better understand what we’re going through, and how we can most
effectively cope. There might even be someone in your area with an interest in
eco-anxiety or ecological grief.
Get involved!
To a certain extent, anxiety can be helpful. If you’re
anxious about the state of the planet, it means you care, and that’s a good
thing. I personally have recently gotten involved with a group in my local
community that advocates for improved efforts to halt and reverse the impacts
of climate change. It has been a really positive experience as I have met
like-minded people, and I feel as though I am making a positive contribution to
the broader community.
Here are just a few campaigns and organisations you can get
involved with:
Biodiversity and conservation: https://conservationvolunteers.com.au/get-involved/volunteer/victoria/
General environmentalism: https://planetark.org/campaigns/
Environment and sustainability: https://www.cleanup.org.au/
Biodiversity and conservation: https://www.wwf.org.au/
Environmental justice: https://www.envirojustice.org.au/
References:
https://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/existentialism.htm
https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/eco-anxiety1.htm
http://theconversation.com/hope-and-mourning-in-the-anthropocene-understanding-ecological-grief-88630
Written by Lauren — ADAVIC Volunteer