Issue #36: Turning fear into action
On dealing with eco-anxiety
Mōrena, it’s been a heavy week as more news of climate disaster from life at 1.1 degrees above normal reaches us.
A study by Hickman et at (2021) of 10,000 young people found that over 45% are affected on a daily basis by their feelings about the climate crisis. This was worse in countries where climate disasters have already become more extreme: the Philippines, Nigeria, and India, had around 75% of young people reporting these feelings.
Fear is a natural, healthy response to an existential threat. While we might feel frustrated, angry, and sad while engaging with climate action, it can be a powerful tool if we manage it well. Small rituals help: for example, when we research content for our newsletter each week, we keep our focus and morale by checking in on how we’re feeling, sharing one thing we’re grateful for, and reading aloud warm fuzzies from you, our lovely community. 💖 Fear can motivate us if we use it well!
A powerful flipside to acting from fear is acting from a place of love. For more on this, check out the book Active Hope (we did a lil review on our Instagram story here). Sounds cheesy, but think about it:
What can you do today?
The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was the call for a ban on ads for products that contribute to air pollutants.
🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Send a message in a bottle
In Issue #25, we shared a petition to stop our plastic waste from being shipped overseas. It emits emissions to ship it over, plus the waste is often burnt (more emissions) or leached into waterways.
Action: Show your support by writing to Minister for the Environment, David Parker
🐇 If you have 15 minutes: Get quizzical
Masters student Jack Drummond is researching what influences people’s environmental choices. They are exploring the connections between demographics, personal values, and how they align with environmentally-friendly behaviours. They’re looking for survey participants with a range of opinions, not only from people who already prioritise environmental choices.
Action: Take this 10-minute survey to help behavioural research on environmental choices
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: Choo choo choo-se your own adventure
Can you imagine how cool it’d be to train to the Southern Alps? Or to visit family or friends in a rural area without needing to drive for hours? Or take a sleeper train from Wellington to Auckland? Inter-regional rail is the missing jigsaw piece in the climate puzzle for Aotearoa 🧩So it’s a good thing there’s an inquiry into it currently!
Action: Paint the picture for how you’d get around on trains with the Save our Trains submission guidePōneke Wellington: Wellington City Council are asking for feedback on a cycle lane on the Hutt Road.
Action: Fill in the survey by Friday using this handy submission guideTāmaki: It’s Conservation Week! Organise a neighbourhood initiative to get to know your community and take local climate action. Love your Neighbourhood is funding projects like starting a community garden or installing a composting system at your work or organisation.
Action: Feel inspired? Apply for funding to keep greening up your community
Donate
33 million people are displaced from flooding in Pakistan, with one-third of the country submerged. At the same time, they have endured a lethal heat wave and economic difficulties this year. These floods are likely to be significantly caused by the climate crisis, despite Pakistan having emitted less than 1% of the world’s carbon emissions.
Action: Use this resource to see if you can chip in, or share it with others who can
Wins
In Issue 11, we shared a submission guide for Environment Canterbury’s Draft Annual Plan, based on the work of the Free Fares campaign. Last week, they emailed all submitters with the finalised draft plan. There were a number of wins:
A $1 and $2 flat bus-fare structure starting from February next year. This is a 2 year trial, so please share with your Christchurch friends and encourage them to get bussing!
Taking flooding seriously and investigating a climate change levy.
A new initiative called Te Kōrari, The People’s Panel, where people can sign up to receive short online surveys so that the voice of the community is heard. Speak up for the climate by signing up, you don’t have to live in Canterbury!
In case you missed it!
Last week, Jenny chatted to Carbon News NZ about how Climate Club came about, and what we’re aiming for - read here :)
We’re holding our first in-person event at the Auckland Climate Festival this October! Come join us for a cosy evening of local climate wins and shared kai.
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this good climate news channel from TikTok if you’re wanting something uplifting 💖 or this Climate Awakening community for cathartically venting your rage and sorrow.
See you next week,
Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny from the Climate Club