Do you find yourself often worried about the future of our planet and humanity? Do you find yourself struggling with how to respond to the climate crisis that we are in right now, and don’t know which way to turn? This week’s blog will attempt to shed some light on the subject and is based on a new book I’m highlighting some points from in the space below.

Climate Anxiety is an Ever-Growing Problem

As our atmosphere continues to warm, and the increasing devastation from severe weather and environmental degradation expands, we need to find ways we can cope within ourselves and around us with this tremendous challenge. Fortunately, the book We Are the Middle of Forever: Indigenous Voices from Turtle Island on the Changing Earth, provides some valuable insights into how we can, cope with this tremendous problem for humanity.

The 5 Ways to Cope with Climate Anxiety

There are some valuable insights that are offered in the book We are the Middle of Forever that can help you to be better able to meet the challenge of our climate crisis going forward. The five main takeaways include:

1. The concept of reciprocity, which helps to increase our awareness of our connection to other humans and the natural world as well. In other words, every interaction with others and the environment is a 2-way street.

2. The need to operate from one’s heart, which can be thought of as emphasizing right brain thinking over left brain thinking (intuitive/heart centered instead of rational and linear thinking).

3. Understanding that the climate crisis has been going for a long time for indigenous cultures, and that focusing on our human equality amongst all cultures and races is critical.

4. Finding ways to connect with nature, specifically the grounding effect that connecting with the Earth can provide. Literally touching the ground can be healing by itself.

5. Realizing that technology is not the solution to the environmental crisis, but that the answer lies in a greater sense of connection to the earth, and all others who inhabit it.

Climate Anxiety is Not a New Phenomenon

As I mentioned above, the climate crisis has been ongoing for indigenous peoples for hundreds of years. For the people who aren’t native Americans or indigenous, you could have a sense that somehow you’re the only one or the first one to experience such a thing, but the fact that people all over the world have been losing homelands and habitats for hundreds of years can help to increase one’s sense of connection to them and all other living beings. You can take solace in how they have confronted their own experience of genocide over that period of time, and find encouragement from the courage that they have had in facing their own existential crisis or crises.

Other Thoughts on Coping with Climate Anxiety

Anything you do to help to stay out of fear, terror, or paralysis, is ultimately going to be helpful for dealing the climate crisis, and somehow enduring it. Simple techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, as well as spending time in nature, and connecting with others who share a sense of the urgency of the situation is bound to be helpful. In addition, simply treating Mother Nature with the reverence that she deserves is totally in line with resolving the climate crisis. In fact, the ultimate take away from this book could be that everyone who is needed to help resolve the climate crisis is already here on Earth, to paraphrase what one of the interviewees from it it said.

What if You Continue to Struggle with Climate Anxiety?

While most people who are paying attention will invariably experience some degree of distress at hearing about the next natural disaster or severe weather happening, there is no need to be frozen or paralyzed by the problem either. If you struggle with some degree of anxiety or depression related to the climate crisis, I can help and support you in finding ways to recover. I’ve been helping clients for my entire social work career in overcoming anxiety, depression, and the trauma that goes with everything that’s happening right now. I encourage you to call the number at the top of the page or fill out the form below if you live in Maryland or Texas, and I can offer you a free 20-minute phone consult to help you decide if I would be a good match for you as a therapist. You can be a part of the solution by helping yourself to recover, and thereby help to heal the world and everyone in it by doing so. Take the next step in your healing journey today and help the world heal as well!

Visit our page on anxiety therapy to find out how Scott can help you overcome climate anxiety.

About the author:  Scott Kampschaefer, LCSW is a private practice therapist in Frederick, Maryland.  He has an extensive background in working with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder at a clinic for older adults with these disorders in Austin, Texas.  He now works with adults and adolescents 14 and up in private practice. His most recent book is titled The 5 Pillars of Addiction Recovery and is available for purchase on Amazon and in paperback on this website.