Climate Grief and Eco-Anxiety
The Wilder Path is a story of grief, and love. Or, it's a story of love, and grief. It deals with one woman's growing realisation that climate change is real, and that the natural world is in deep trouble - and her frustration that others around her don't see things the same way. She journeys alone through grief and acute, relentless anxiety about the future.
Fifteen years ago, climate grief and eco-anxiety were likely to be pathologised, seen as "illnesses" to be "cured". But this kind of anticipatory grief and anxiety about what climate heating will bring to our planet, to animals and trees, and plants, to human beings, is entirely a natural and normal response. We also know that climate heating is unstoppable, although we may be able to slow it down, perhaps, or mitigate the worst effects, or even adapt, to a degree.
So, unlike Rosalie in the Wilder Path, where do we put these powerful emotions? How can we reach a place of active peace and hope? The word active is important here.
I am fortunate to have colleagues who "get it". For many years I have been a trustee of an environmental charity, Green Christian, and pre-pandemic some of us were discussing how we could help people with these powerful emotions. The upshot is an 8-week course, Deep Waters, which is free, and open to anyone (as long as they don't mind that it comes from a Christian organisation). In safe and sensitive spaces, Deep Waters explores our powerful reactions to the climate and ecological crises, and is online a couple of times a year. It has now been running for 5 years. Participants describe it as very helpful, giving them a sense of direction, helping them to become more active in their decision-making, rather than staying trapped in grief-induced reactions such as anger or guilt.
In addition, the Climate Psychology Alliance provides support to individuals and groups struggling with eco-distress, and offers safe spaces to share emotions surrounding the climate crisis, both in person and online.
I recommend both of these.
And you may wonder - have I, personally, experienced these emotions, and do I still? The answer is yes, and yes. But, with help, I have learnt how to navigate them, and this is why I write.
