Being up to date with climate change-related news can be overwhelming.

Worrying about the inevitable ecological changes which we’re about to experience in the coming years can make us feel powerless and lead to climate anxiety. According to Iberdrola, individuals suffering from climate anxiety report sleep disturbances, high levels of stress, and in some cases, depression. This article by Travel Her Way is dedicated to helping individuals overcome climate anxiety by exploring meaningful steps they can undertake for making a positive impact towards tackling climate change.

Manage Your Emotions

Spending the majority of your time reading news pieces about climate change is often the root cause of climate anxiety. Your first step needs to be reducing the climate-related information you consume via news and social media. Next, connect with like-minded people who share the same level of concern for climate change and engage in meaningful conversations. Expressing your emotions will serve as a healthy outlet for reducing stress and learning techniques that others use to keep their climate anxiety in check.

Including exercise in your daily routine will further reduce stress. Exercise is a natural stress buster as it promotes the release of oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, in our body which leads to happier moods.

Travel Sustainably 

As reported by the EPA, one private car on average releases 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. As a car owner, here’s what you can do to reduce emissions:

• Commit towards driving less, which includes using your car only on the weekends or for necessities.

• If you love to drive, encourage your friends and co-workers to carpool.

• Replace your traditional vehicle with an electric one, if the infrastructure in your area permits.

Additionally, when it comes to traveling long distances, opt to use trains rather than flights as they produce significantly fewer carbon emissions. If you do need to fly, use apps such as FlyGRN for booking tickets, as they utilize their revenue towards investing in eco-friendly projects that offset carbon emissions.

Cut Back on Eating Meat

Producing 1kg of meat results in 70kg of emissions, in comparison, 1kg of wheat leads to 2.5kg of emissions. The difference becomes stark when this number is compounded to millions to kilograms for meeting the worldwide demand for meat. You can make a direct impact towards reducing these emissions by choosing to cut back on your meat consumption. Additionally, by educating those around you about the harmful environmental effects of meat production, you’ll be able to motivate them to reduce consumption as well.

Plant Trees

Over a lifespan of 40 years, a single tree absorbs close to a metric ton of carbon dioxide. If you have space in your backyard or the front lawn, planting a tree should be the next order of business. Additionally, you can take this a step further by connecting with representatives of your local government and starting a tree-planting initiative in the community. This can include planting trees across sidewalks, increasing the number of trees in public gardens, and convincing members of the community to plant one on their property as well.

Start a Green Business

By starting a green business, you’ll play a lead role in combating climate change. Based on your experience, skills, and interest, you can start a business related to garden planning, renewable energy generation, climate advocacy, eco-friendly travel, and more. To ensure your business is successful and achieves its objectives, keep these important steps in mind:

• Form an LLC: Establishing a limited liability company will protect you from business-related debts and become eligible for tax benefits.

• Apply for Grants: There are various grants provided by federal and state governments helping green businesses meet their funding requirements.

• Focus on Marketing: Promoting your business on social media will help you reach thousands of customers a day and assist them in reducing their emissions through your business. But, remember that each platform has different specifications for content. For instance, use the resize image for Instagram tool for all your posts on the platform.

While climate change is here to stay, each individual has the power to make a meaningful impact and contribute towards creating a healthier and greener future.