SAKI'S SUSTAINABLE DAILY - VOL. 15 – Borderless Creations

Hello! I’m Saki, Borderless Creations’ Ambassador!

Do you have any specific feelings about Climate change? Sad? Angry? Etc.

When I first accepted climate change as of my own issue, a storm of emotions swirled within me.

I have to do something!(panic）
Why are everybody not concerned about climate situation?(anger)
I will take action and be part of the change(motivation)
It’s hard to keep on the “action”, feeling of gap between the others(conflict)
What difference can one person make? This is too much…(despair)
Ignorance is a bliss(Apathy)
I’ll keep on doing what I can(Hope)

I vividly remember feeling panic and anger the most strongly.

It was the moment my life changed.

Emotional responses may vary from person to person, but I believe many of you have experienced similar highs and lows.

What is eco-anxiety?

Have you heard of a term “eco-anxiety”(climate anxiety)?
While it’s not classified as a disease, it refers to a chronic and intense state of anxiety caused by global warming, climate change, and the Earth's critical condition. This psychological phenomenon has been acknowledged by the American Psychological Association (APA).

According to the APA, more than two-thirds of Americans experience climate anxiety.

In 2021, a study led by the University of Bath surveyed young people aged 16–25 across 10 countries, revealing:

Over 80% are worried about Climate change.
56% believe that “humanity is doomed.”

Furthermore, the 2018 paper “Deep Adaptation: A Map for Navigating Climate Tragedy” was reportedly so shocking that it drove some readers to seek therapy.

Are Japanese “Optimistic” about Climate change?

On the other hand, a 2023 report by DENTSU SOKEN showed these trends among Japanese:

14.6% said they are “not worried” about climate change—the highest rate among 11 countries.
While they feel anxiety about climate change, they report less intense negative or self-critical emotions.
41.6% said they “do not talk to others about climate change,” also the highest rate.
They have the most optimistic outlook about the future of humanity compared to other countries.

This suggests that fewer people in Japan perceive the seriousness of Climate change and that fewer see it as a personal issue.

DENTSU SOKEN concluded in the report as:

"It is crucial to raise awareness about the mental health challenges linked to Climate change while promoting a balanced sense of concern."

I completely agree with this perspective.

How to Cope with Climate Anxiety

Finding the right balance between awareness and stress can be difficult. Prolonged anxiety can lead to mental exhaustion.
Here are some coping tips I’ve found helpful:

Avoid information overload

Don’t overwhelm yourself with excessive news about climate change.
Limit time spent on social media and news apps.

Focus on trusting information

Stick to trustworthy sources and avoid falling for misinformation.

Connect with like-minded people

Talking with those who care about environmental issues can reduce feelings of isolation.

Take small actions

Start with simple steps like recycling, making eco-friendly purchases, or adopting a plant-based diet.

Try eco-therapy

Spend time in nature, go for a forest walk, or enjoy gardening.
Prevent “nature-deficit disorder” by actively engaging with the natural world.

Future is always in our hands！

It’s normal to feel anxious sometimes, but we always have the power to take action!
Whenever I see the efforts of Borderless Creations or other people tackling environmental issues, I feel inspired and hopeful.

Let’s join in the action and work towards a better future together!

https://www.anxietycanada.com/articles/coping-with-eco-anxiety/

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/02/climate-change

https://jembendell.com/2018/07/26/the-study-on-collapse-they-thought-you-should-not-read-yet/

https://www.bbc.com/bbcthree/article/b2e7ee32-ad28-4ec4-89aa-a8b8c98f95a5
https://qos.dentsusoken.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/%E5%9B%BD%E9%9A%9B%E6%AF%94%E8%BC%83%E7%89%88%E3%80%90%E9%9B%BB%E9%80%9A%E7%B7%8F%E7%A0%94%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%91%E3%82%B9%E7%AC%AC9%E5%9B%9E%E8%AA%BF%E6%9F%BB%E3%80%91%E6%B0%97%E5%80%99%E4%B8%8D%E5%AE%89%E3%81%AB%E9%96%A2%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E6%84%8F%E8%AD%98%E8%AA%BF%E6%9F%BB.pdf
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58549373