Existing During the Climate Crisis

You’re well aware of the climate crisis. You see its impacts now, even if they don’t yet affect you directly. You have an idea of what may be to come, especially if significant changes aren’t made immediately. You’re not feeling particularly hopeful about those changes being made.

The climate crisis is an issue so vast that it can be difficult for our human minds to grasp it. Still, you have moments where the reality sinks in. Maybe you see some horror in the news, are trying to get through wildfire season, or learn about another species going extinct. The feelings that accompany these moments can range from panic to grief, from rage to despair. Some psychologists are calling this a pre-traumatic stress disorder.

You know the climate crisis is an intersectional issue. So, if it’s not the smoky air that gets you, it’s the violence of policing or the increasing number of people suffering from homelessness, war and genocide. Things seem bleak. You try not to think about any of this and instead self-distract and numb out. Or, you can’t stop thinking about all of this. You’re doom-scrolling, ruminating, and having a hard time sleeping.

While all of these responses make a ton of sense (and I experience them too), they are not somewhere to remain stuck. You are not alone, and it can be both healing and stabilizing to have an outlet for all of these feelings.

When it comes to the climate crisis, I am by no means an optimist. However, even in the most dire situations, we can orient ourselves to creativity, meaningful action, and much needed connection. This is what humans have been doing amid tragedies all throughout time. Together, we can hold these issues in a real and serious way, while finding ways to support you through it.