Eco-anxiety

In regards to the recent news about ‘Code Red for Humanity’, a lot of issues about climate change have been coming up on the news more often. One of those many issues would be eco-anxiety.

What is eco-anxiety? According to the Oxford Dictionary, it is “a feeling of worry about threats to the environment, such as pollution and climate change.” Something a lot of us would probably relate to feeling.

So, what role does eco-anxiety play in our lives? If you’re a relatively young person, it probably plays a big role in your life. On a personal scale, I have seen people giving up on their dreams or not even bothering to think of one because they think they won’t live to see their adult selves. For me, that is truly heartbreaking and I really do view the lack of action on climate change issues to be humanity's greatest error. A study conducted by researchers in the University of Bath found that 75 percent of young people said that their future was frightening. (The study was conducted in 10 countries and participants were all between the ages of 16 to 25.) Frankly, I sometimes stay up late at night thinking about what will happen to the Earth and let’s admit it, it definitely doesn’t look good.

To understand eco-anxiety, we need to understand stress. Stress, in excess, is harmful to a person’s well-being, both mentally and physically. However, stress, in the right amounts, can help one perform better. If you’re worried about it, it means you care. The way I see it, having high levels of eco-anxiety is a good symptom to show as a nation, institution, or as a large group of people generally. It shows that they are aware of how dire the situation really is. As an individual, it’s not really a nice thing to feel. The absolute hopelessness about a situation we do not want to face but have no power over. Or at least that’s what we think.

I think we still have hope. It’s not too late. We cannot give up because it isn’t over yet. Individuals are definitely not to be blamed for climate change but rather the big industries and corporations. However, let us not forget our power as consumers. By demanding that corporations change, they might just do so.

You might think that every country should just change their laws and take climate change into account, that way the problem would be solved, right? Unfortunately, no. Not all countries produce the same amount of carbon emissions so highly developed countries like the United States and the countries in the United Kingdom need stronger laws than countries like India.

From a philosophical standpoint, I find eco-anxiety very interesting. It’s interesting how eco-anxiety is caused by the awareness of one’s surroundings. A classic case of “what you don’t know can’t hurt you.”

Clearly, our world has come to a point where ignorance can no longer be a choice. We must face our fears head on and tackle it to the best of our abilities. The older generations may have failed us, but we cannot let that destroy us. Let us make sure we do not fail the generations to come too.

Essay written for my application to The Teen Magazine

I just couldn't find anything suitable to submit, so I wrote a new essay that I thought they might like. I guess I am a sort of official witer now. It's one of the first of many steps taken for my meaningless (hopefully not) future. I am very excited! Hopefully this goes well.

Additional Resources:

30 min podcast by the asapscience guys

a youtube video which I found helpful for me

how to turn climate anxiety to action (youtube video)

food for thought

That's it for now, folks. Wish me all the best.

-Lemon Farmer

(Tragic Lemons)

⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙

✧─── ･ ｡ﾟ★: *.✦ .* :★. ───✧

image from @liberti.mai on instagram