The Psychological Impact of Climate Change

HOLD ON TO YOUR SPECIES: silky beach pea

BY KARA FOGWELL | THE VK WELLNESS INITIATIVE

We have all heard the news of planet earth showing signs of distress because of human actions.

One of the signs of earth’s ill health is that many of the species that once called it home have disappeared. This eco system that we exist in and are supported by is experiencing a rapid decline in diversity. There are currently one million species being threatened with extinction, says the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) (United Nations, 2019).

Due to these alarming facts, many of us are experiencing increased distress about the health of our home and what this means for the future. This is being called eco-anxiety or eco-depression and is now showing up in behavioural literature as something that is affecting the emotional and psychological wellbeing of individuals (Arcanjo, 2019). People are also experiencing symptoms of grief related to the loss of biodiversity. Although these experiences come with great suffering for the individual, it is these exact emotions and the sharing of them that are necessary to bring about the changes we need.

HOLD ON TO YOUR SPECIES: a Northern Goshawk in a Western Red Cedar (photo courtesy of PROWLS)

Grief is a process of mourning loss and integrating the life which has been lost. It is a time of honouring and carrying forward the experiences and lessons from what we lost. This November many communities and individuals will express their grief and share this through artistic media. The movement of grief signifies a powerful process of change for all of us. Together we look to the lessons we can learn from our shared grief experiences. We can also learn from reflecting on what has been lost and what is needed to restore balance.

Depression, anxiety, and grief contain in their own right, a strong motivational force. The state of our planet is depressing, scary, and seemingly hopeless. Let’s consider though that these emotions are telling us that we need to change, and quickly. In response to these emotions, it is helpful for us to search out solutions to the death that is all around us.

Looking for opportunities for increasing life and biodiversity is one way we can experience hope rather than grief and distress. Other ways also include spending time caring for life, or deepening our connection with other life forms through experiences like eco-therapy.

REMEMBRANCE FOR LOST SPECIES

When:

Through November

What:

Several events that are part of the qathet Art Centre’s Memento Mori: Honouring Grief and Loss Together. They include an Endangered Species art exhibition on species at risk; a whale tail jewelry-making workshop; a storytelling and performance evening; and a film screening (see ad on Page 17). In addition, the VK Wellness Initiative is offering an ecotherapy and education group called “From Eco-Anxiety to Eco-Distress” November 29 (Register for the group here: https://vkwellness.ca/workshops-events/).

More info:

qathetart.ca