Jan 17, 2020
(in the Sitka Sentinel)
Feeling Climate Change: Part 1
By John Lewis
I still remember the feeling of relief that washed over me. I was going through one of the most stressful events of my life, then a friend told me that what I was feeling was a normal response to an abnormal situation. In other words, it was a crisis response.
The feelings of despair, anger, hopelessness, grief and uncertainty weren’t a sign that something was wrong with me. Rather they were the result of an overwhelming experience. These feelings were a natural part of the way we process and eventually move through a crisis. In time, I would feel better and could even grow stronger even if I didn’t feel like it at the moment.
People are using the term “crisis” to describe our climate and the rapid changes we are going through. And the same feelings that go along with crisis reactions are being used to describe reactions to the climate. The wildfires in Australia are overwhelming, their enormity inspires a sense of helplessness. In Sitka, salmon struggling to make it upstream and unusually sunny summer days leave the impression that something is not right.
It is seemingly a daily occurrence that we are receiving signals of a changing environment. When any life form senses changes in the surroundings, it produces signals to respond to those changes. Our feelings are signals whose goal is to restore balance within ourselves and our surroundings. If we don’t listen to these signals, and we don’t respond in some way to the change, we end up creating more stress.
Perhaps this is where we are collectively; we are in the early stages of crisis. Even talking about climate change can arouse powerful emotions. For some, the dominant reaction is denial, to go on like it does not exist or affect us. Others, especially those whose lands and lives have already been directly affected, may be filled with grief. People who see that there is not enough being done, or feel they cannot do enough, are left feeling burnt out or hopeless. But all these reactions are a normal part of the process of adapting, accepting and in the end, acting.
The real tragedy would be to remain in these feelings without any action. An important part of a crisis reaction is the gathering of one’s resources to meet that challenge. In doing so, we can actually become stronger and more connected to those around us. The reality is this: the climate is changing and we must adapt. For each person, family, or community, that adaptation may look different.
But a big part of that adaptation will mean changes to how we think and how we feel. This is the first part of a once-a-month series here at Climate Connections exploring how climate change is affecting mental health – not only how it makes us feel, but more importantly how we can respond. The intensity of feeling, the crisis response, can be a call to change. It’s only crazy if you don’t listen.
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John Lewis is a behavioral health professional and a member of the Sitka Citizens’ Climate Lobby.