Reengaging eco-activism over fueling eco-anxiety
What is eco-anxiety?
Eco-anxiety, seems simple enough to understand, right? Guess again. This is a loaded term that has been part of formal and informal discourse surrounding climate change and its’ impact on our dynamic Anthropocene for some time now. And the ‘why’ behind this matters.
Humans are experiencing eco-anxiety, because they care, and they care because we are a part of nature.
There is a deep, personal connection that we have with our natural world.
If it [the natural world] is shaking, we tremble… both literally and metaphorically; it is an inevitable reality of the twenty first century. (Gill)
Eco-anxiety, in the simplest of terms, is distress, negative emotions caused by climate change where people are becoming anxious about their future. Unfortunately for many people, climate change is a lived reality, and the future anxieties that the West finds themselves burdened with are already impacting the lives of millions in the Global South.
Conceptual clarity of the term requires further research as most evidence for its formal academic understanding comes from western countries.
Who defines eco-anxiety?
Understanding not only what eco-anxiety is, but who and how it affects certain communities lived realities, is of utmost importance. This is only possible if we employ diverse methodologies to better understand these experiences.
The reality is that eco-anxiety is a topic that is narrowly understood. Most regions of the world and Indigenous populations, those deemed most vulnerable to climate change, are underrepresented in the literature. Most studies derive from Australia, Finland and the US. Women, children and minority groups worldwide were found to experience more eco-anxiety, despite the marginalization of their voices in current literature.
How do we overcome eco-anxiety?
But there is hope and there is reason to keep going and there is reason to join in the movements around the world that seek to advance environmental goals and continue to create new ones.
Who defines eco-anxiety matters, and the voices of those suffering most under these dramatic changes must be centered moving forward, if we are to develop a more holistic approach to addressing the world’s most pressing contemporary challenges. Further research is part of the solution, as well as more movement and involvement towards sustainable futures and equitable solutions. Finding ways you can get involved in your local community and educating yourself on movements happening worldwide are great first steps to ease your own eco-anxiety and perhaps alleviate the worries of others. With the privilege that comes with being a member of a western country we must be proactive in how we tackle this problem together.
For what is for us tomorrow’s problem, climate change is another’s present challenge. And if all of humanity is one, that One is being deeply, personally and unfortunately presently wounded. Act now, and initiate healing.
Here are some ways to get involved and learn more!
Canadian focus:
https://www.embarksustainability.org/
https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/
International:
https://www.worldwildlife.org/
(Gill)
By Simran Gill