“We must combat climate doom.”
May is Mental Health Awareness month. As we navigate through the challenges of our rapidly changing world, the convergence of climate anxiety and mental health becomes increasingly apparent. The looming specter of climate doom adds an additional layer of stress and uncertainty to our lives. Mental Health Awareness Month offers a timely reminder of environmental issues' impact on our mental well-being. It reminds us to take a step back and acknowledge the progress we’ve made. This recent article in The Provider co-authored by Representative Steve Owens and CRWA Advocacy Director Cabell Eames touches upon the importance of combatting this climate doom.
ALT TEXT: According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2023 was officially the world’s hottest year on record and 2024 looks no cooler, with this April continuing the streak of 11 consecutive months of record-breaking global warmth. Here in Massachusetts, last year’s unprecedented rainstorms brought over $15 million worth of damage to farms in the Connecticut River Valley and destroyed hundreds of homes and critical infrastructure in cities like Leominster and Attleboro. Rising sea levels and intensifying storms are causing unprecedented erosion, reshaping the Massachusetts coastline. This year’s hurricane season is predicted to be one of the most active on record.
These gloom and doom headlines are having a measurable impact on our mental health. A recent MassINC poll asked US middle and high school students nationwide about their feelings on climate change, the environ ment and the future. A vast majority of the students surveyed said climate change is already impacting their lives and believe climate change will require radical changes to how we all live. When asked about their primary emotions regarding climate change, the most common answers were sadness, uneasiness and helplessness. A similar MassINC poll on climate change found that adults in Massachusetts also report feelings of anxiety, sadness and doom. An article in the Lancet Planetary Health Journal found that climate scientists worldwide are not immune to feelings of climate despair either, with overwhelming feelings of fear and anger in response to climate change.
As a legislator, I’ve heard colleagues suggest that there’s no point in doing anything to reduce carbon emissions, the main driver of climate change, because it’s too late; there’s too much to do. The only thing left is to adapt to our new climate chaos.
It’s easy to feel paralyzed by the assumption that problems such as climate change are too big to address, and we have lost time because we are overwhelmed by the daunting task that leads to a staggered and incremental response. However, a vital shift has occurred. Despite the very real and discouraging news dominating the news cycle, technological advancements, international cooperation, corporate responsibility and increased public awareness contribute to a resilient present and future. That’s not to say challenges don’t remain, but progress thus far demonstrates that collective action leads to significant positive change. Moreover, since 2020, the Biden Administration has provided considerable funding to mitigate climate change, and states like Massachusetts continue to reap the benefits. In April, Massachusetts was awarded a $156 million grant for solar development for low-income areas. This would not have been possible in years past because oil and gas companies had stonewalled the technology. Even the reddest states are moving towards renewables, calling it “future-proofing,” further delivering on low-cost energy promises.
The first utility-scale offshore wind energy project in the United States is now underway, generating electricity off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. The Vineyard Wind project will provide clean, renewable and affordable energy for more than 400,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts once it is fully complete, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1.68 million tons per year. Three communities in Massachusetts are currently pursuing networked geothermal pilot programs to reduce building emissions. Eversource’s networked ground source heat pump pilot program in Framingham, consisting of 36 buildings, is expected to be in service in early summer 2024. National Grid is in the early stages of networked geothermal projects in the Acre neighborhood in Lowell and the Franklin Field Apartments in Dorchester. The economic development bond bill under discussion in the legislature proposes $30 million in incentives for climate technology companies working to decarbonize industrial processes.
Positive developments in tackling climate change don’t have the same dramatic impact as the message that society is doomed, and the situation's urgency should rightly be amplified. But there are ample reasons to be optimistic. In fact, being confident in our ability to combat floods, heat waves, droughts and disease due to climate change is a vital attitude humanity must embrace. Optimism should not be mistaken for complacency; studies show that optimism fosters resilience and longevity, precisely what is needed to evolve in our changing world.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when facing climate change. Practice compassion with yourself and focus on what you can control. Many of us are already doing what we can to change our behaviors to reduce emissions. If you are looking to take additional action, participate in local and national climate change initiatives. Contact your legislators and Congress members and urge them to act on climate legislation. Let them know that working toward climate solutions is not only worthwhile, but essential.
Remember that you are not alone in experiencing climate despair. Talking with others about their climate concerns fosters a profound sense of belonging. It helps build community and hope while learning about how others are tackling these critical issues. Collective action has brought us solutions that in years past were unimaginable, and with new technologies we have only scratched the surface of what’s possible.
Representative Steve Owens represents the 29th Middlesex district of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Cabell Eames is the Advocacy Cirector for the Charles River Watershed Association.
