How to deal with environmental anxiety?

Question

Basically global warming, negative impacts of non sustainable practices stress me out, even more at the moment. I’d say I could call myself a sustainable person, I shop at bulk stores where possible, I don’t eat meat, I always try to reduce waste, anything that has either a reusable, zero waste, environmentally friendly replacement I have it and it’s just stressing me out that there’s actually people out there that don’t care about the impact their actions have, I’m starting to struggle with managing  the stress it’s causing so wondered if anyone else has found themselves in a similar situation and how they handle it

ALBERT · Answer

Find out about the origin of peace and tap into it?

Anonymous · Answer

You are a good example of the neurotic mentality that is the basis of green living and it's nutty anti-human fascist ideology.

OTTO · Answer

Accepting what you cannot change. Changing what you can. You are doing all you can do. You cannot change other people. But you can vote.

Anonymous · Answer

Learn to care for your self. It could be meditation, prayer, taking walks in nature, maybe art. Find it. 
A good book is the 7 habits of highly effective people. There is a part in it that talks about working with in your circle of influence. Recognizing what you can and can’t control. You can’t go in to permanent despair mode because you cannot push a button and automatically fix global warming. 
Its a marathon not a sprint. You should contribute how ever you can and write your leaders and make your views known and demand that the businesses you patronize act responsibly. But if you wear your self out by anxiety you won’t do anyone any good.
Care for your self. You can’t help out the planet if you don’t help yourself first. If you need medication get it. Other than that - tap into meditation and read that book.
I would disagree with the first respondent about how our individual actions mean nothing. The more people that live sustainably, the better off we’ll all be. And collectively all the people that are living sustainably are helping. Its just that we can’t see all their work together. Also if you add up this persons sustainable living in a years time and see his personal contributions that way - it is also a big difference. Never underestimate your personal power to make change. Just don’t get preoccupied with what you can’t do. Marathon not a sprint. Pace your self.

wilds_of_virginia · Answer

You have an anxiety problem.  There is NOTHING you can do as an individual that will affect global warming.  Look at China's CO2 emissions over the last ten years.  Tell me you can slow down the rate of their increase.

I do think you are doing the right thing living a more sustainable life.  I do the same.  Much of our garbage goes to the critters or the compost heap.  We love to use scrap material to build things.  You are like a raindrop hitting the ocean.  Working on changing your world and don't stress about the larger world.

How to deal with environmental anxiety?

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