Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it has a profound impact on our well-being physically, mentally, and financially. My own journey of living a minimalistic and sustainable life revealed countless benefits of enhanced wellbeing and financial savings. In this article, I will share some of those benefits with you so you can also enjoy them.

The effects of climate change, extend into the emotional realm, influencing how individuals feel and respond to the world around them. Understanding these emotional responses is crucial for addressing your well-being and that of our communities.

In this article, I shall discuss how we can all make those minor changes which will not only enhance the health of our planet but also boost our well-being and allow us financial benefits. The aim is to encourage you to develop a more caring and compassionate culture towards yourself and the planet as a whole. 

An ecosystem is a living, interdependent community of life forms that exist in a specific physical environment. It is important to remember that ecosystems support life, and that includes our lives. For each ecosystem to thrive, it needs a caring and sustainable framework. Having this reality at the forefront of our minds, helps us to realise that the ‘environment’ also encompasses physical, social, and even psychic environments. Nature needs to be regarded as both physical nature and human nature, and it requires understanding that both kinds of nature have lines that must be appreciated and not crossed.

For us it means, expanding identity from entitled consumer to citizen to being part of a wider whole that includes all life forms. It requires expanding one’s sense of home from a local area, to seeing and understanding that our planet is our home.

Climate change is not only a physical threat but an emotional one as well. Acknowledging the array of emotions, it can evoke is essential to providing you with the tools you need to cope effectively. By understanding and addressing the emotional toll of climate change, we can work towards a more emotionally resilient and climate-resilient future.

The increasing disengagement from understanding that nature is our home has had some serious implications on the mental health of current generations. Social media and the colossal amounts of time spent in front of screens instead of in the presence of humans and nature, have led to various forms of mental health conditions such as below.

Eco-anxiety

Lehtonen & Välimäki (2012) say that people are increasingly reporting eco-anxiety, which is an alarm call to face reality and to act in the face of danger. This notion is supported in my own work as a therapist and wellbeing coach. When I started this career 25 years ago, there was no presentation from clients of climate anxiety. At present, one in five of my clients are concerned about how the climate crisis is impacting their mental health.

Grief and loss

The emotional toll of climate change is also linked to feelings of grief and loss. Research by Doherty and Clayton (2011) discusses the concept of ecological grief in the face of climate-related losses. Loss of species, habitats, and even entire communities due to environmental changes can lead to profound sadness.

Hopelessness and Despair

As the impacts of climate change intensify, some individuals may experience a sense of hopelessness and despair. The work of Kieft and Bendell (2020) explores the phenomenon of “deep adaptation”, acknowledging that individuals will need to adapt emotionally to a rapidly changing world.

So how do you adapt? What are the first steps you need to do take to embark on a journey that will not only give you control of the climate crisis, but also benefit you in multiple ways?

How does living sustainably boost well-being?

The sustainable journey inevitably involves being more in tune with nature. When you deepen and strengthen your relationship with nature by respecting every living being and enabling its existence and growth, it heals you too. There are several ways you can do this.

Engage in Eco–Therapy

Nature-based therapies, as researched by Jordan et al. (2019), can help individuals connect with the natural world, fostering a sense of well-being.

It is well known that spending time in nature (whether it is by going for walks, gardening, getting involved in outdoor activities) enriches your physical and mental health. The current culture of social media and excessive screen time has taken us away from the very source that connects us to all beings. Finding opportunities that will increase your knowledge of the natural world and encouraging children to do the same, takes us a long way towards healing the self and the planet.

Join Community eco-activities

Another way of engaging in a sustainable life is by joining community activities. This increase in social connection and engaging in activities that are meaningful, enrich your soul and provide a deep sense of fulfilment within you.

Building supportive communities that share common concerns and goals can help individuals cope with eco-anxiety and grief (Ungar, 2018). 

Check out your local areas for initiatives such as gardening groups, allotments, litter picking recycling, biodiversity programmes, community fridge, etc. Also subscribe to environmental charities such as the Greenpeace and Wildlife Trust, to stay informed of local and national developments.

Reach out for professional support

Seeking professional help from psychologists and therapists who are knowledgeable about eco-anxiety and climate-related emotional distress can provide valuable support. Together you can work towards resolving the feelings of anxiety, taking control in your life and mapping the steps forward to a healthier and happier future.

How does living sustainably make financial savings?

A minimalistic life involves cutting down on all aspects of waste and clutter in your life. When you cut down on food waste, repurpose your clothes instead of buying new ones, be mindful of how you use energy and water at home, all these actions inevitably contribute to financial savings. Here is an example.

Sheela and Sammy’s Story

To cut down on plastic and waste in all aspects of daily living Sheila and Sammy stopped buying plastic bags, grew their own vegetables, cut down on paper and cards, were more mindful of energy and water use in the house, started to buy preloved clothing, shared car journeys, and walked short distances instead of using the car. These actions led to a considerable saving in their monthly budget.

Instead of using time to scroll excessively on social media and watching 20 hours of television in a week, they joined a gardening group and a recycling project.

The increase in outdoor activities and socialising amplified their support networks giving them opportunities for enjoyment and entertainment. In addition, this increased communication and relationship skills and increased their knowledge base from other group members.

The above is a micro example. On a macro level, the endeavour is to make the case for our damaged ecosystems and find new ways to restore this in ways that will have a financial return. A UK wide study by the National Trust in 2019 explored modelling the impact of creating new parks in nature-deprived urban neighbourhoods and upgrading existing ones. It revealed that over 30 years, a £5.5 billion cash investment would deliver a £204 billion return in improved health and well-being as well as 6,300 permanent jobs, and that is without including the added value of improved air quality, carbon capture and biodiversity.  This shows how the capital of natural environment, can be a powerful tool for advocacy to persuade policymakers to invest in biodiversity. These figures were derived when exploring new ways of funding neglected urban green spaces in Britain, to appreciate the value of green spaces and parks that would have enormous value for health and well-being.

Summary

Understanding the emotional and financial consequences of climate change is the first step toward effective coping. 

Just talking about climate change and worrying about it will not make it go away. Putting the responsibility solely on politicians and global organisations is not enough. Resolving the situation is a joint responsibility where you and me as individuals need to make a commitment towards making this planet a better place for all living being concerned and leaving the legacy of a thriving planet for our future generations. 

As discussed, this does not involve spending any money or huge amounts of effort. Daily small actions such as reusing plastic bags, buying pre-loved clothing, and using less energy, water and paper will give you a sense of control and satisfaction that you are doing your little bit to address this crucial issue.

I set out many more actions you can take in my 10th published book, Best of One World – 60 steps to a sustainable, meaningful and joyful life – which is available on Amazon and through my website. Please feel free to contact me for training and workshops on sustainable living.

About Hansa Pankhania

Hansa is a Speaker, Corporate Wellbeing Coach and Author of 10 published books for adults and children.

In her books, Stress To Success In 28 Days and Stress To Success Stories, she is passionate about sharing natural wellbeing techniques that are cost-free, and easy-to-implement but nourish your body, mind, and soul in powerful ways. 

Her Chakraji Children’s Relaxation Series passes natural wellbeing tips to primary age children using colourful illustrations. 

She has also published her memoir Best Of Three Worlds about being born in Kenya as a British subject of Indian origin and the fusion of three histories and cultures.

Her latest book – Best Of One World – 60 steps to a sustainable, meaningful and joyful life helps you save money and boost your wellbeing and that of our planet too.

All her books are available through Amazon and her websites.

Visit- www.hansapankhania.com for her books

And – www.aumconsultancy.co.uk for Wellbeing Services

Text- +44(0)7888747438