Climate change - I think I want to die

[HelpMeICantCope]

I don’t know what to do or how to cope. All I can think about is climate change and how nobody is doing anything to stop it. This has happened every summer for the last couple of years, the fear of what is coming and the grief for the damage we are doing is unescapable. I’m supposed to be on holiday with DP (well, I am on holiday) and it’s taking all my mental strength not to fall apart. I’m shaking, I can’t eat, I can barely sleep. He’s fine and thinks we’ll solve it and life will go on. I can only see the apocalypse. In another life I’d want to have children, but how can I bring them into this? I just want a simple life, why is this happening to us?

It's so annoying isn't it?

There are lots of simple things that could reduce the risk of serious climate change - dropping the speed limit for example and insulation of homes but the government seems more interested in parties and squabbling

There is still time and so there is still hope

Where are you on hols OP? Has your journey also been a contributor ?

Have you spoken to your GP about this ?

Unhelpful

It's untrue to suggest we must live a sackcloth and ashes life to avoid climate change

Travel will still be possible . Meat eating would still be possible

The caveat is that the longer you leave it to fix the fewer people will be able to do any of those things

Small pain now or massive pain later - take your pick

We all have fears about climate change, OP. Most of us do our bit to mitigate the effects.

Might you feel better if you joined a group or campaign which actively tries to educate people about the effects of climate change - if you aren't already?

In the kindest way, your reaction seems extreme.

I’m in the UK, we drove here. I have a tendency to fixate on things, I do know that about myself. I’ve tried talking about it at counselling sessions, but my therapist sort of dismissed it and we ended up talking about perfectionism, which I didn’t find helpful in the grand scheme of things.

I’m 29 and I feel like I should have so much to live for, DP and I should just be at the start of our journey together, but I can’t stop thinking about our world’s governments and industries leading us into utter disaster and the end of our way of life as we know it.

Thank you for your replies.

Lots is being done to stop it, especially in the UK. Our per capita greenhouse gas emissions have tumbled in the last decade, to the point that we now emit less per person than China, and the trend is continuing.

Solar energy and battery technologies continue to improve, and with more and more homes having an electric car at home which can be used as a home battery we will be able to further demand-smooth and so move further away from needing to burn fossil fuels for power.

I think you have an anxiety disorder. It is normal to be concerned but a healthy response to that is to take what action you can and mentally come to terms with what you can't change.

spiralling anxiety with physical symptoms is not normal and you should seek treatment (meds, CBT).

Honestly. Been through this with health anxiety with DP in covid. COVID was real but that doesn't mean that a panicked, obsessive response is normal or helpful. You need to separate the problem (real) and your response (maladaptive)

Thank you @MotherOfCrocodiles. Would medication help? I want to be able to live life normally, but is that the right thing to do? Should any of us be living life normally when this is happening?

@GCHeretic I’ve been looking at graphs and seen that the UK’s emissions are falling. But I also see inaction from the powers that be. Do you think there is still any hope? I always thought I’d have a family but the world my children would grow up in would be so very different to the one I’ve grown up in.

You definitely need to speak to your GP and try medication. I hope you sort this and lead a happy, contented life with your DP.

There is still hope

But the world focus on maximise profits today means that it's a hope not even 50 50 chance of avoiding the worst

in your situation ( I'm older ) I would not be having a child

You are not alone in feeling overwhelmed by climate change concerns. It’s a shame that it has to this point being framed as a disaster waiting to happen. There is another way to frame it eg climate action. It’s about focusing on what you can do rather than what you can’t. And lots of people do care and are taking action.

Part of healthy living is having a purpose, yours could include making a contribution to climate action.

I’m sure you already live responsibly and part of growing up is recognising limitations as well as possibilities. To make the most of what you can do.

I think that when you are well you actually recognise this, I think your anxiety is overwhelming you.

What sort pf help do you have? One of my children was struggling with anxiety and they are so much more relaxed since completing a course in “Being the boss of anxiety” (as opposed to allowing anxiety to be the boss). It’s a process, a journey, and depending on your state of mind it may be that you need medication as well.

Dont be afraid to ask your GP or to engage with a therapist, they may be able to help you feel a lot better.

This is not the life I wanted or thought I would have. I so wanted to have children.

I have been through similar feelings but have realised I can only do my bit.

and we need global action or our own actions are the proverbial pissing in wind

join local action groups to channel
your anxiety

Medication will help with your symptoms, yes.

Anxiety is not only worrying about things that are not real. It is excessive worry that is harmful to the person and their relationships. Just because climate change is real, doesn't mean that your reaction is normal or even helpful to the situation.

I think posters on here are responding that they share your concern about climate change, without properly reading your post and realising quite how distraught you are. Don't let this reinforce you into thinking you should continue to live in panic in this way.

It's something that is genuinely worth worrying about but you need to know how to enjoy life to. There are lots of great resources about to say how nature connection is a great way to overcome existential dread, grief and climate anxiety. Can you do some of this on your holiday. Making regular time to notice your grief is important too. Sadly as individuals be we don't be have a lot of of power and we have to live inside systems that often on aren't in line with our values. I get a lot from working hard to live as sustainably as poss regardless of the fact it takes a lot of time and hard work. No car, home ed my kids, grow a lot of my own food, don't fly. This does feel better and I like to think of it in also ripples out of into the world. I would say, allow your anxiety to turn into meaningful action and change what you can change and try to accept the things you can't. We will all die after all sooner or later.

Thank you @MotherOfCrocodiles. I can’t believe that scientists and politicians knew about this before people my age were born and still we are at this point, on the brink. Thank you for all of your responses, but yes, I have got myself into quite a state.

Thank you for your post.
It can feel a bit hopeless sometimes. I think that the biggest barrier to change is the uncontrolled capitalism which has lead to industries having too much power over politics.😕

I want for this not to be our future. I already do some campaigning, I sign all of the petitions, I write to my MP, I’m vegetarian, work from home so I barely drive. It feels pointless and like we’re being driven over the cliff edge. I’d love to have hope but I can’t find any at the moment. I know that we have the technological solutions but nobody is implementing them at the scale we need them to to avert absolute mayhem.

I was down at our local cricket pitch on Friday evening and could have cried watching all of the children running and playing and laughing. That’s the future I would want for my DC.

I don't think its irrational to be beside yourself with worry about this. Far more irrational to minimise it when the science is so clear.

I find it really hard seeing people continue to live their lives as though climate change isnt real.

I am not sure medication is the solution to a real actual problem.

However, time doing things to make a difference will help.

And taking time out from worrying and learning to compartmentalise is fine.

And spending time with People who are trying as well. It's do demoralising doing your bit and feeling like you are the only one

I don’t think that there is inaction. Look at the size of the offshore wind farms, the rules on new buildings, the efforts to increase nuclear power and so on.

We could always be doing more, but the UK should be proud of what has been achieved so far.

We have been held back severely by the “green” lobby who have fought against nuclear power, GMOs, more efficient farming and so on, but even with their opposition the state is doing very well.

In my experience part of the problem is that you feel gaslit when everyone around you is denying or avoiding the facts of human-caused climate breakdown. It can feel like you're going crazy but it is an absolutely sane response. You really need to make friends that feel that same way as you do. It's crucial to share your feelings with others who can understand them. You can show up to any Extinction Rebellion meeting for example, perhaps your town is a Transition Town? Sometimes there are climate grief circles in these types of organisations. Even just posting on your social media that you're looking for people to talk about this issue with might 'out' a few of your social circle as people who get it.

There's a whole world of activism out there for all kinds of people. It doesn't just have to mean glueing yourself to something. You can write letters, emails phonecalls, administrate a group, green your own home and lifestyle, even get a job in something sustainability-related if you want to (or bring it into your existing job). There are also some really great things happening in activist circles that will give you optimism. And some really great art proposing alternative ways of life.

I would go to the GP and seek help for the anxiety. I have found medication really helpful. However real the issue is - and climate change is certainly real - your response is disproportionate. Your body and mind are reacting as though there was a sabre tooth tiger chasing you. Useful for a 10 minute stint, really counterproductive as a way to live your days and weeks. You need a reset.

...you need ro reset to the level of 'how can my community build a tiger fence and then maybe hunt the tigers to extinction' but currently you re operating in "Aaaaaaaaaargh!!!!" mode, if you see what I mean?

Species come and go. Civilisations rise and fall. You'll almost certainly be compost one day, as will I, and my kids, and the dog. It's just a big rock flying through space, and we're on it, with fuck all control, for a blink in the eye. It's ridiculously unlikely that you got to be born in the first place, try to enjoy it.