There’s no doubt about it — climate change is a very real phenomenon that is impacting the globe in a disturbing, almost surreal manner. And because we feel like we have little control over what is happening around us, it is easy to become overly distressed about the situation that we’re all faced with. However, it’s important not to let our experiences with nature thus far dampen our optimism for the future. Here’s how.

Coping with the mental aspect of it all

If you’re experiencing eco-anxiety, it might be helpful to know you aren’t alone and that it is okay to experience feelings of dread and hopelessness every now and again. However, it’s also important to realize that we can’t wallow in these feelings of hopelessness forever. Instead, we can choose to overcome them by joining support groups, talking to a therapist, and avoiding the news if we feel we have become fixated on just the negative.

Practical things we can do to help the environment

Certainly, it’s not possible to solve all the world’s problems when it comes to climate change on our own. Still, we can take positive steps to help minimize the effects of pollution on the environment, especially when we pool our efforts together for the greater good.

Reduce, reuse and recycle

When you follow the principles of the three Rs, you may find yourself starting to make an even bigger difference than you ever thought you could. This is where the practicality of reducing, reusing, or recycling comes into play, as you have three options to choose from before disposing of materials that could be hazardous to the environment.

Making sure you only use energy-efficient resources

Power is one of the main contributors to carbon emissions. This is why it is essential to reduce your energy usage where you can, such as by opting for solar panels, for example. This way, you get to harness the energy from the sun to power your business and/or your home without it being detrimental to the environment. Be sure to look up the pricing for solar paneling, which will be determined by the type of solar panel you’re going for, the size of the solar panel, and whether you are going partially or completely off the grid. Furthermore, solar panels are a good investment as they usually come with a 15- to 25-year warranty, which means you won’t have to set aside savings for any maintenance or repairs.

Run an eco-friendly business

If you have a business, you also have a responsibility to incorporate eco-friendly practices in the way you run your business by purchasing sustainable or reusable packaging, buying from local vendors and suppliers, and going digital to ensure minimal paper wastage. There’s also the option of going with a business structure that will promote your eco-friendly endeavors, such as an LLC, for example. One of the benefits of starting an LLC is you don’t have to complete as much paperwork as you normally would when filing. Other advantages include limited liability, flexibility, tax advantages, and much more. Furthermore, you can use the services of a formation company if you want to start an LLC, as they will be able to assist you with the registration process much more affordably than using lawyers. What’s more, they can advise you on what to do if you were to open a business in a state you’re not familiar with.

These are just a few of the things worth doing that might help alleviate some of the stress associated with climate change. Also, be sure to look into climate change solutions that will make a big difference to the environment, such as using solar panels to reduce energy usage. Every little bit can make a difference when it comes to our environment.

Emma Croft

Emma stays busy working at the botanical garden, but she still finds time to tend her own garden and water the neighborhood plants. She has plenty of free time during the winter, so she created her site, Get Gardening, to consolidate all the gardening resources in one place.