Week 4: Living with the climate and ecological crisis

Introduction

In this final week you will learn about some ways in which we can engage and live with the reality of the climate and ecological crisis. You will be invited to develop an action plan that reflects your own personal situation, resources and goals.

This week you will:

• learn about the importance of emotional engagement with the climate and ecological crisis
• learn about the value of taking action
• become aware of the risk of burnout for activists
• find out what might be involved in self-care
• develop your own personal action plan for living with the climate and ecological crisis.

Figure 1 is a simplified model suggesting that in order to live with the reality of the climate crisis, three broad elements need to be present and in balance. Too much emotional engagement can lead to overwhelming eco-distress; too much action can lead to burnout, and although we cannot overdo self-care, if we disengage, this could tip into unhelpful disavowal.

You will look at each of these elements in turn.

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Figure 1 Three elements of living with the Climate and Ecological Crisis.

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A pie-chart with three items: action; emotional engagement (including grieving); self-care (including distancing).

Figure 1 Three elements of living with the Climate and Ecological Crisis.