Professional Experience and/or Insights: On Climate Anxiety: Muskan Lamba

Sensemaking of our Emotional Responses

As we live through multiple crises intertwined—ecological, economic, socio-political—it is slowly, but surely, becoming clear that our emotional selves are not quite okay, and they require a brave space to be acknowledged and nurtured.

Historically, communities have gathered around firesides—sharing stories, singing, and connecting—to process their collective struggles. In some cultures, such as in rural India, the act of storytelling would allow them to process grief and celebrate resilience. In many African cultures, fireside conversations are central to the philosophy of Ubuntu (“I am because we are”). In Native American traditions, too, the council fire served as a place to discuss important matters, resolve conflicts, and honor ancestors. 

In today’s fractured, isolated world, where emotions are as it is stigmatized much of the time, we must recreate safe “third spaces” where individuals can come together to collectively process their emotions and tap into collective wisdom.  Further, the prevailing culture of “do more” has contributed significantly to burnout, and shifting towards a regenerative approach allows individuals to preserve their mental and emotional health while continuing to call for change. 

Resilience Circles

A purposeful and deeply impactful initiative I have been part of is the facilitation of Resilience Circles with the Resilience Project UK. These circles provide a unique opportunity for youth navigating burnout, climate anxiety, and the like, to come together, come undone, and foster a sense of hope amidst the overwhelm as we make sense of the pain, and develop coping strategies. 

By bringing individuals together in a safe, supportive environment, free from jargon or the pressure to perform, these circles allow participants to express themselves openly without fear of judgment or invalidation. These circles are rooted in practices like mindfulness, storytelling, and brainstorming ways to heal, empowering participants to see their emotions not as weaknesses but as sources of curiosity and wonder. For instance, transforming a narrative such as “Vulnerability is a weakness.” to “Vulnerability can be a strength around the right people.”

Climate anxiety can lead people to isolate themselves when they don’t see it as something rational or real. Some describe feeling they must carry the burden alone or be constantly active in the fight against the crisis. However, circles such as this, challenge the notions by encouraging rest and regenerative practices as essential forms of resistance and self-care. For example, in one session, a participant shared feelings of guilt about needing to take a break from activism. This feeling was reframed, through the group’s input, as an important form of sustenance in the movement. 

Closing Thoughts: Tap into Collective Wisdom

Climate anxiety is an evolving concept, with subjective lived experience depending on one’s culture, society, personal stories, and intermingling with other crises. It’s isolationary, but it’s a highly common experience that many are grappling with today.

Community creates a foundation for collective sensemaking, where the burden of climate change may be carried together. By creating more spaces, digital and otherwise, that prioritize rest, creativity, and shared wisdom, we enable more sustainable forms of coping with climate anxiety. 

At the end of the day, this shift requires systemic change, where mental health is seen as integral to action against polycrisis, and emotional well-being is prioritized alongside traditional notions of productivity and achievement.

We must recognize the importance of third spaces—places where individuals can come together to connect, share stories, and find common ground. In doing so, we may create ripples of resilience that extend far beyond ourselves—just as our ancestors did by the firelight. 

Interested in contributing to understanding and addressing topics like climate anxiety? Join CliMind, a youth-centric virtual community focused on exploring the connections between climate change and well-being: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DPW2866mRbfDNZKWo11GUH