Words by: Lizzie Tooth
Art by: Isaac Gomez

Have you ever felt a sense of distress regarding climate change? Are you constantly conscious of your carbon footprint? Are you scared to have kids cause you don’t want to bring them into a world on fire? Losing hope over the broader ecological crisis? 

If this sounds like you, I hate to break it to you, but you’ve got a hot case of climate anxiety. Whilst it may be debilitating, take some relief in knowing that you’re not alone. 

Unfortunately, nothing says growth quite like climate change. With sea levels and temperatures on the rise, it truly puts the up in glow-up. We’re constantly bombarded with the very real, yet very unfortunate effects that this change is having on our planet and all its inhabitants. 

That being said, hearing this stuff can make people avoid thinking about it and therefore not do anything about it. But it’s not all bad. I’m here to share some positive changes being made to counteract several negatives of climate change. To remind you that, whilst it may seem all doom and gloom, it’s never too late to grow. 

Safe Sanctuaries = Safe Species

As I’m sure many of you know, with the effect climate change has on ecosystems, a lot of animals struggle to survive. However, well-maintained marine and terrestrial habitats help combat climate change while supporting the well-being of both people and the planet as a whole. With an increase in these protected sanctuaries, we’re beginning to see some threatened and endangered species return. Australian Geographic advertised the recent sighting of the Red Goshawk in Central Australia for the first time in three decades. There’s also been a fourth sighting of the Scarlet-chested parrot in Western New South Wales, which provides hope for seeing this species return in years to come. Additionally, the Galapagos rail, which was thought to be extinct in Floreana since 1835, has been rediscovered following the eradication of an invasive species. I’d love to name every species that has returned, from bird to barnacle, as the list does go on, but the real takeaway is this: If we give our ecosystems, our Earth, the planet we call home, a chance to heal and thrive, it can and it will. We just need to let it grow. 

Countries Changing for Climate

We see a lot of negative press regarding how the government and big businesses are addressing and thus affecting the environment. With just one hundred companies responsible for more than seventy per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, it’s easy to feel like your actions to reduce your carbon footprint are pretty hopeless. However, according to the World Wildlife Fund, nearly half the largest companies in the US now recognise that it is EVERYONE’S responsibility to tackle climate change, with more companies than ever before committing to ethical, sustainable climate initiatives. The EU has even voted to criminalise environmental damage. This includes significant habitat or biodiversity loss, along with illegal logging, and provides an updated directive for countries to identify and prosecute these crimes. Even though there’s still plenty of work that the higher-ups need to address, growth doesn’t happen overnight. However, by planting this seed of acknowledgement, we can appreciate the several countries that are growing in the right direction. 

Strength in Solidarity

I find it hard to believe that there are still people out there who don’t recognise that climate change is a real and serious issue. I think they’re scared, just like us, believing that accepting its reality would force them to face even bigger problems. So instead, they choose denial, which unfortunately isn’t helpful for anyone involved. Fortunately, those who DO choose to believe are coming together like never before. Hundreds of community organisations are working inclusively and cooperatively to find solutions all over the world. For instance, Sea Shepherd uses direct action to defend, conserve and protect the world’s oceans, while Our Village, a charity in Victoria, provides essential items to at-risk families, preventing these items from ending up in landfills. These are just two of the many nonprofit groups taking action to mitigate the effects of climate change, while also creating opportunities for others, like yourself, to get involved and make a difference. So, why not grow alongside them?

For all my climate-anxious individuals out there, I hope this has eased your mind a little and reminded you of what you’re fighting for. It’s so important for us to continue to educate those around us about the environment and the implications of climate change. 

Take a page from the legend Sir David Attenborough and don’t forget that if people don’t know about nature and appreciate it, they won’t understand it. If they don’t understand it, they won’t protect it. And if they don’t protect it, who will? 

The climate won’t change if you don’t, so let’s keep growing together toward a better future for us and our planet.