Eco-Anxiety, Burnout and Hope
Flavia Gouveia
Recent research has suggested a link between negative emotions, such as anxiety and fear, and effective climate action. Seemingly fueled by these negative emotions, those concerned with the future of the planet engage in positive behaviours, like reducing their carbon footprints.
And it seems that these findings resonate with climate activists, who are driven by eco-anxiety’s call to action. Climate activist and poet, Niamh McNally shared that she is “very aware of negative feelings and eco-anxiety associated with the climate crisis” adding that she uses “these negative emotions such as sadness” and redirects these into action.
Friday’s For Future NI activist Kay Laverty added that it is these “negative emotions, concerns and worries that motivate us to do something”.
As the ecological crisis receives more attention and is more widely debated, there has been a well-documented increase in climate concerned people experiencing a wide range of negative emotions.
Environmental Journalism student and activist, Ellie Wardell, said that her emotions around this issue will range from feelings of “betrayal and anger towards the government and larger institutions” and “shame and guilt” when considering the natural disasters unfolding in other countries. She added that she frequently experiences “frustration and disappointment” at not being able to do more.
“I have felt terrified for my children and their future. ”
Ellie is not alone, Therapist and Researcher, Louise Taylor, said “I have felt terrified for my children and their future”. Louise goes further and says that her experiences have fundamentally changed her worldview, as she has learnt “that most people will place comfort over truth and most people do not care about the suffering of others”.
While these negative emotions and feelings of anxiety are an ever-growing concern, Climate Communicator and Psychologist Jessica Kleczka says that we should not be labelling these emotions as mental illness. Instead, these emotions should be recognised as a normal and acceptable emotional response to the current situation.
“Burn out, extreme frustration and anger is pretty much a given in activism these days.”
Reflecting on how she copes with the negative emotions she experiences, Kay said that they “can either enable us or silence us. Getting out on the street and making a racket is our one tool of rebellion. There is no cure to eco anxiety or burnout until the people in power decide to give it to us”.
While we certainly want more effective climate action, activists who respond to the eco-anxiety call to action, may be placing themselves at a risk of burnout.
All the activists interviewed reported experiencing burnout at some point, as a result of their efforts. Louise added that “the rates of burn out amongst environmental and climate activists are very high and it is paramount that activists look after themselves to do this work”.
Kay shared that as an environmental activist she feels “burnt out constantly”. Bleakly she reflected that “things are hard. Burn out, extreme frustration and anger is pretty much a given in activism these days”.
It’s perhaps unexpected that activists would report feeling this way. As many of the activists interviewed for this piece alluded to, a big source of frustration is a lack of government and institutional action. This means that climate activism and campaigning is a relentless uphill battle.
Despite all the motivational capability of negative emotions, which can be harnessed, it is important for activists to recognise the risk of burnout and that they take the time to care for themselves.
Ellie said a key part of coping involved “allowing myself to feel these emotions and recognise that they are not illogical or unwarranted feelings but are legitimate and genuine responses towards ongoing climatic events”.
In this sense being a part of wider climate communities may provide a vital form of validation to those who struggle with these emotions. Ellie said that “finding climate groups, friends, and organisations to join and engage with was a pivotal moment for me in my activism”. Niamh also suggested “join[ing] climate groups with like-minded people, find your community”.
Acknowledgement and validation of these emotions will undoubtedly be important to those who experience them. But, as Jessica suggests, it is also important to strive for balance by finding “things that bring you joy and to spend time in nature and spend time with friends” she added “that these are things that will sustain” ongoing climate activism. This is something which resonates with Louise who “spend[s] a lot of time doing the things [she] loves”.
“If we want to protect life and the planet, we must constantly remind ourselves of how invaluable and beautiful life can be.”
What these experiences demonstrate is that it is important to engage with and maintain relationships and hobbies which are not directly related to the climate movement and activism. As Louise says “if we want to protect life and the planet, we must constantly remind ourselves of how invaluable and beautiful life can be and for me that involves having fun, feeling joy regularly and doing things that bring me pleasure and peace. Otherwise, what are we fighting for?”
Self-care will look different for everyone, for Ellie this involves distance running outside, a ritual which she finds “relaxing and therapeutic” and which enables her to “release any pent-up frustrations or anxieties”.
Louise shared that she spends a lot of time doing the things that she loves. She said “when I am feeling unwell or like I am about to burn out I take time out and look after myself and remember to do more of the things that bring me comfort, joy and peace”.
Being involved with climate activism can be overwhelming. Activists face a mammoth task, tackling the biggest and most complex challenge we have faced yet. But self-care and maintaining hope is crucial for the movement to continue.
As Niamh McNally said, “know that as long as we are right here, right now, there is time for change”.
Link to original report:https://cast.ac.uk/climate-anxiety-an-important-driver-for-climate-action/
Flavia Gouveia is The Scoop’s Science and Environment Editor and is studying for an MA in Journalism at Ulster University.