Recently there have been many reports of the effects of the climate emergency, natural disasters, loss of biodiversity and pollution on the news and social media. Although many of these take place in other countries, you don’t have to directly experience these incidents to be affected by them. Many people, of all ages and backgrounds, are worried about current and future harm to the environment caused by human activity and climate change. This fear and worry is called Eco anxiety.

Eco anxiety is not necessarily a bad thing. It is a normal, natural response by your body to a threatening potentially dangerous situation. Basically, it is a way of your body getting your attention and telling you to take notice of what’s going on. It can affect you in many ways including: 
•    Feeling traumatised and shocked
•    Depression
•    Feeling anxious
•    Being aggressive
•    Feeling like you have a loss of control
•    Feelings of hopelessness, fear, or fatalism

While it is a natural response, eco anxiety is not a good thing if it becomes so great that it affects your health and wellbeing. So how can you cope with eco anxiety and reduce your anxiety levels?

Talk 

Talk to someone about how you feel. You may be surprised to find that once you start chatting to other people, you find that others feel the same as you.

Be informed 

There is a lot of false information spread about the climate emergency and environmental issues. Things may not be as bad as you think they are. Get information from trusted, reliable, factual sources backed up by good scientific research rather than information based on personal views or from groups pushing their own aims. Don’t “doomscroll”, If you constantly look for bad news it can make your anxiety worse.

Get outside

There are some amazing outdoor places to visit and enjoy in Wales. Just being outside can have a positive effect on your health and wellbeing.

Take action 

By working together, we can reverse the decline in biodiversity and safeguard against the worst effects of climate change. 
You could do simple things such as recycling more, using green transport, or buying eco-friendly products. Even though your actions may seem small, together with everyone else’s efforts they can have a really positive effect. 

Duncan Ludlow, WTSWW Reserves Manager said, “As well as being amazing places for nature WTSWW’s nature reserves are also vitally important for visitors and local communities. I see first-hand how crucial they are to the health and well-being of the people that visit them.  This has become even more obvious in recent years during the Covid pandemic. I am so lucky and privileged to work on WTSWW’s fantastic nature reserves. For me, working outdoors and knowing that I am helping to protect these sites is a great way of dealing with eco anxiety that I may have.”

You could also join an action group such as WTSWW’s Stand for Nature action group.
https://www.welshwildlife.org/stand-for-nature-wales