38uplifting than being around others who share our point of
view, learning together and finding ways to change the world.
If you’re fed up of signing petitions and reading angry tweets,
outdoor volunteering is the perfect way to feel like you’re really
making a difference to your local wildlife population. If you can
spare the time, turn your passions into actions by spending your
Saturday morning cleaning rivers, picking up litter or planting
trees. You can visit http://www.wildlifetrusts.org to find your nearest
wildlife group.
If you suffer from overthinking, one of the simplest solutions
is to brain-dump your thoughts into a notebook or journal.
Rather than ignoring the thoughts in your head, this is a great
way to acknowledge them and move them somewhere more
productive, to own your feelings and ref lect on them as they lie
on the page. Try keeping an eco journal to record your thoughts
and worries, plan strategies, inspire yourself and brainstorm
new ideas. Similarly, keep an eye on what you’re reading and
absorbing from the internet. While it’s important to stay
realistic and keep up to date with the facts, it does no good to
lose yourself in climate change horror stories. If you struggle
with how much news to ingest, create a ritual and stick to it. You
might spend half an hour catching up each evening, then switch
off your phone and unplug from the world before bed.
The most important way to change the world is through
communication. It’s easy to feel angry when speaking to people
who don’t share our point of view, but remember that the best
way to spread the message is through open-mindedness, careful
listening, and rational debate. Inspire others to change their
habits by showing them how rewarding it can be to prioritise
sustainable, green living. In the end, eco-anxiety is not one
person’s burden to bear alone; after all, the climate crisis was
not caused by one person but an entire species, so the solution
must be carried on all our collective shoulders. As individuals
we can only do our best – live sustainably, spread the message
and inspire each other to fight for what is right. Eco-anxiety
may be unpleasant and difficult to deal with, but remember that
those who suffer from it are more caring, more compassionate,
and working towards a brighter, better world.38
FURTHER READING
BOOKS
Wilding by Isabella Tree (Picador, 2018)
The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel
(Doubleday, 2016)
Few And Far Between by Charlie Elder
(Bloomsbury, 2015)
Atmosphere of Hope by Tim Flannery
(Penguin, 2015)DOCUMENTARIES
Before the Flood (2016)
The Future of Energy (2016)
The Memory of Fish (2016)
Minimalism (2015)PODCASTS
For What It’s Earth
Climate Cast
The Elephant38