Climate anxieties

As COP26 finishes, I am left wondering how can I, as a university student, stay positive in the face of climate anxieties?

COP26 is the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). It is happening in Glasgow, Scotland and runs from October 31st to November 12th, 2021. This is an annual gathering and is meant to bring together member nation states who signed the international treaty UNFCCC to reflect on their progress toward emissions targets and climate goals.

But as the ideal of maintaining less than 2 degrees warming becomes more unlikely by the day, I am left with a lot of fear.

As a geography and politics student, I am surrounded by discussions of climate change, sustainability and policy every single day. This means that I hear a lot of negative things about what we are doing to the environment and even other people. And I know that a lot of university students hear about these things too whether through social media, on campus or in general conversation. It dominates a lot of our life. 

Something I will always appreciate in the areas I work is the focus on solutions. Not many of these good news stories or hopeful achievements get disseminated through the media and a constant buffet of bad news dominates the discussion around climate change.

I am not saying we shouldn't consider the devastating impacts however, I think that there is a lot more to be achieved in looking at these challenges with practical solutions in mind. So with that thought in mind, I would like to share some of the solutions being developed RIGHT NOW that fill me with a bit of hope.

1. Traditional Ecological Knowledge 

Indigenous peoples have a lot to offer but have rarely had the chance to have their voices heard. Increasing autonomy and closing the gap means that Indigenous peoples can continue using their TEK for their own cultural and social wellbeing along with caring for the countries they have managed for thousands of years. Have a look at some work currently being done in Arnhem Land for fire management.

2. Renewable Energies

Renewable energies get a bit of a bad rap for a lot of reasons. There are lots of debates around their long term capacities, battery disposal and meeting electricity demand. However, it is undeniable that renewable energies have come a long way and investment in these kinds of technologies mean that there are far more opportunities to mitigate our emissions. Check out some recent developments at the Climate Institute.

3. Climate Responsive Housing

I have been taking a course recently which looks at sustainable housing design. The number of simple little things we can do to make sure our houses consume less energy and produce less emissions from construction to post-life is insane! Understanding the climate of the area you are building in, sustainable materials and design which allows your house to cool or warm passively - the possibilities are endless and you don't have to make crazy modifications in order to achieve this. Check out some of my favourite climate friendly houses at Architecture and Design.

As a self-confessed climate worrier, sometimes it is hard to look on the bright side. Sometimes the best way I can tackle these fears is to be actively involved in trying to make a difference - whether through my career, volunteering, protesting or voting. For now I think I have to remember that I am a single person in a large interwoven world and while my contributions matter, the weight of the world is not always on my shoulders.