Climate grief

Contributed by The Ashkin Group

Climate Grief is a term that describes the emotional distress people feel when they realize climate change is real and happening much faster than expected. It affects people from all walks of life, as they witness the wildfires, floods, droughts, and extreme heat - all associated with climate change.

Climate grief manifests as:

·      Sadness

·      Anger

·      Anxiety

·      Guilt

·      Despair.

Many people feel overwhelmed by the scale and urgency of the problem and helpless to do anything about it. It has been a topic of discussion for a few years now, according to Steve Ashkin, a renowned expert on green and sustainability issues. 

"But now that it's here, most of us are unprepared to deal with it. Fortunately, there are strategies to help us cope with this new reality and stay healthy."

Among those, Ashkin suggests are the following:

Don't blame yourself or others. Blame is not helpful and can make us feel stuck. The first step is to accept the reality of climate change and then decide to do something about it.

Share your feelings. Talking to others about your concerns can help you process your emotions and find support. You are not alone in feeling grief for the planet. Many people are going through the same thing right now.

Enjoy nature. Spending time outdoors can help you appreciate the beauty and value of nature. It can also motivate you to act and protect what you love.

Get involved: With inspiration, join groups and organizations working to protect the environment. Also, do your part by reducing your environmental footprint, such as, using more recycled products, selecting products with a reduced impact on the environment, reducing water and energy consumption, and even planting trees.

Protect your health. Mental health is very dependent on physical health. Eat healthy foods, exercise, get enough sleep, and look for ways to have fun. We make better decisions when we are physically healthy.

"There are now organizations, many of them non-profit, that help people experiencing climate change grief," adds Ashkin. "Search online and be bold. If you need help, contact one of these organizations.”