How to combat climate anxiety with action ?

Climate change is one of the most pressing concerns of our time, and the magnitude of the challenges we face can quickly leave us feeling overwhelmed. In fact, the existential threat posed by climate change is so pervasive that social scientists have started studying how “climate anxiety” impacts people today.

Just how much do companies know about where their employees score on the climate anxiety scale? Do you know how to detect it and how to stop it from spreading throughout your business? Too often, worry and overwhelm can lead to paralysis, keeping us from taking the action we need to bring about meaningful change.

Shift gears from anxiety to action with our practical steps to help your employees stop worrying about climate change and start making a positive impact.

Educate and inspire employees

Knowledge is power. So the first step to overcome anxiety is to educate employees about climate change. Digging into reputable sources, scientific studies, and reports from expert organisations can help you communicate a nuanced understanding of the causes, consequences, and potential solutions. By equipping yourself with knowledge, you’ll gain a better perspective on the issue, allowing you to take informed actions and educate your internal audience.

Once you understand the scope of some of the challenges and solutions, you’re better positioned to inspire others to take action. Discuss climate change with friends, family, and colleagues in a positive and constructive manner. Share your own experiences, the actions you’ve taken, and the impact they’ve had. Encourage open conversations about climate change and the urgent need for collective action. Remember, every person you inspire could go on to inspire others, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

Bring sustainability to your workplace

Our individual actions may seem small, but when we take collective action, it can make a massive difference. Communicating this with your workforce – and implementing initiatives to adopt more sustainable business practices – will drive advocacy. Introducing training programs that inform and empower your colleagues will ultimately help you to take meaningful climate action in your role.

You want your employees to be aligned, on a daily basis, with their need to act. The food we eat, for example, has a considerable environmental impact, so offering green menus that support sustainable agriculture practices whenever possible is an excellent way to minimise your carbon footprint.

Encouraging sustainable transportation to and from the workplace – and subsidising this option – is another way of helping to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. Carpooling, biking or walking are also modes of transport to encourage, as well as ensuring provision for charging electric vehicles.

Giving employees free time so that they can get involved in associations or ESG activities is another way to bring sustainability to your workplace. Encourage people to engage with their local elected representatives to express concerns about climate change, attend town hall meetings, write letters or emails, and sign petitions advocating for policies that promote renewable energy, carbon neutrality, and environmental protection. By joining forces with like-minded individuals, you can amplify your impact and push for meaningful change at policy level.

Supporting climate transformation

Climate change can be a daunting challenge, but it’s crucial to channel any worries into actionable steps. By educating your employees, taking personal action, supporting sustainable initiatives in the workplace, engaging in political action, and inspiring others, we can each contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future. Explore resources from Within, designed to educate and support organisations in their quest for climate transformation. We have an episode of Climate Brief dedicated to understanding the origins of eco-anxiety, its consequences on health and motivation, and what can be done about it. Find out more hier.