Every day, we are constantly bombarded by news about a world in turmoil. Alongside the daily reminders of recessions, wars, and political turmoil, we also get information of natural catastrophes as well as severe weather such as long-lasting droughts, extreme wildfires and heatwaves, or catastrophic flooding and landslides.
The increasing awareness of climate-related issues could be due to the excessive reporting of negative information in a media-driven and hyperglobalized world. However, what’s happening to our planet is also atypical. The global sea level has risen by two-and-a-half times more between 2006 and 2016 than it did during the entirety of the 20th century. Climate-related catastrophes have tripled in the past three decades.
A lot of people are getting nervous. This is particularly true for children, who are living their entire lives ahead of them on a planet they inherited from people who have not taken care of the environment. A YouGov survey from 2020 showed that 70 percent of those aged 18-24 were concerned about the state of the planet.
This post is part of Quarter Life, an ongoing series on issues that affect people who are in their twenty- and thirty-somethings, from the challenges of starting work and taking charge of our health to the joy of having a baby and adopting a pet or simply making new acquaintances when we are adults. The articles in this series will explore the issues and provide the answers we need to navigate this turbulent time in our lives.
Studies have shown that climate anxiety (distress about climate change and its impacts on the planet, future disasters, and the future of human existence) can lead to shortness of breath, worsen physical health, and interfere with social relationships or functioning at school or work.
The increasing awareness of this growing mental health problem has led to suggestions regarding how to manage anxiety about climate change. It is possible to take action by reusing more materials, purchasing products that are less packaged, or cutting back on consumption and waste. However small, these actions could spark discussions rai,se awareness, and lead to greater lifestyle shifts.
However, some have difficulty managing their emotions, particularly younger people, who the research suggests that have less control over their feelings. In the effort to cut down on your carbon footprint, it may seem too small to convince yourself that there is a real difference that can be seen.
A more enjoyable and efficient way to deal with the stress brought on by the crisis is through community gardening. It is an activity in which individuals gather to collect and maintain crops and plants on specific areas of land.
In the year 2018 in 2018, the Woodland Trust (the UK’s largest conservation organization for woodlands) established one of the United Kingdom’s initial Young People’s Forests in Derbyshire. The initiative required school groups, scouts, and other youngsters to plant the trees, resulting in the plantation of more than 250,000 trees.
Participants from the younger age group said that the activities contributed “massively” to reducing their fear of climate change.
