What It Means & What To Do With It
Climate grief, or ecological grief, refers to the sense of loss that comes with experiencing or learning about environmental destruction or climate change. As the global population continues to balloon, the damage to the environment caused by human beings grows as well. Complex issues such as climate change can bring about a sense of defeatism - feeling lost or hopeless or that chaos is imminent.
These complex issues can feel extremely overwhelming as they are often issues that feel "unsolvable" or bigger than us, on an individual scale or as a collective. It can also feel challenging because the true environmental villains are big corporations, not the "little guy," yet this little guy is often most vulnerable due to lack of resources.
These feelings of hopelessness and defeatism are completely valid, but should not deter you from taking action, spreading awareness, and making sustainable choices in your life. There is no denying that our planet is likely to change drastically in the coming years as a result of climate change - we have already seen evidence of this in increased frequency and severity of severe weather events, rising temperatures globally, coral bleaching, loss of ice cover, and more. However, there is still time to protect our planet and the species we share it with.
We've got some tips to help you cope with climate grief:
Do what you can with what you have. It can feel frustrating to face these environmental issues as "just one person," it can feel like it should be someone else's responsibility to manage, it can feel like you aren't the right person to get the job done. The fact is, we need action from everyone, everywhere. We don't just need scientists tackling the complex issue that is climate change - we need people from all walks of life making conscious choices about how they spend their money, who they vote for, and how they spend their time.
Connect with like-minded people. Intense feelings like grief and loss can be easier to carry when shared - you know what they say about misery and company. Not only is it easier to manage these feelings when shared, but it is also easier to see the bright side, see potential solutions, and at the very least, know that you are not alone.
Embrace your feelings. These feelings of loss and grief and fear are completely valid and should not be ignored. Exploring creative and/or productive outlets for managing these feelings can go a long way. All feelings, good and bad, should be embraced and felt in a safe and healthy way.
Stay educated on the problem as well as the solutions. Mainstream media is all about telling stories that sell - depending on how you get your news, you may be bombarded by the doom and gloom narrative. Explore alternate solutions for gaining and brushing up on your knowledge. Learn about these environmental issues, what causes them, and what can abate them. It is important to maintain hope, even when all hope seems lost.
Spend time in nature. At M.E. Society, we are all about mental health, the environment, and the intersectionality between the two. We believe that nature is a wonderful teacher, healer, and friend, and we believe in the power of nature in benefiting physical and mental health. Strengthen your relationship with nature on a small-scale - this will help you remember that it's worth fighting for on a larger scale, and it can also benefit you physically and mentally.
Experiencing climate or ecological grief is a normal and valid response to the complex environmental issues we face today. In order to combat these negative feelings, consider the tips we share above, and remember that you can make a difference from where you are right now. Even if it will take years, if not decades, to see the effects of our actions, remember the Ancient Greek proverb: “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.”
Check out our Climate page for more details on how you can make a positive impact on nature, and check out our Mental Health page for more tips and resources on managing your mental health.