What Is Ecological Grief and Trauma?
"A natural response to the ongoing climate breakdown and ecological crisis.
More and more people are experiencing a phenomenon known as ecological grief, which is a natural response to losses associated with:
- Tangible loss of ecosystems, wildlife, and natural habitats. Other tangible losses may include the loss of jobs, economic stability, material possessions, homes, and entire communities from natural disasters.
- Intangible losses around the loss of traditional knowledge associated with environmental systems, particularly for indigenous communities, environmental workers, and scientists. This may also intersect with losses around identity, cultural traditions, losing ways of life, or a spiritual sense of connection to the Earth due to environmental changes.
Continuously witnessing extinction, death, and catastrophe either firsthand, or at a distance, can also result in vicarious trauma responses. Many individuals feel a profound sense of emotional dysregulation, despair, hopelessness, and an overall experience of powerlessness as they witness the ongoing destruction of the natural world. Survival instincts to fight, flee, freeze, or fawn can often be observed when conversations around the ecological crisis emerge within our daily lives.
What further complicates this experience is that there is no foreseeable end or a sense of resolution regarding these traumatic losses. Ecological grief can also be further complicated as humans are responsible for the ongoing climate emergency, and thus individuals may feel guilt or shame for participating in something we are collectively responsible for.
It is plausible to think that our experiences of ecological grief and trauma can provide us with the space to critically reflect on the social values, customs, and practices that led our collective species to this moment in time. By choosing to engage with our suffering consciously and actively, perhaps we can find the clarity, courage, and compassion to reconstruct a new way of relating to our planet.
A deep cultural shift towards greater interconnectedness is possible, although it requires a degree of learning, unlearning, advocacy, action, and personal development that many of us are not used too. A poignant example of ecological grief, and how it can offer opportunities for psychological transformation, is captured in the following poem known as “Hieroglyphic Stairway” by Drew Dellinger:
"it’s 3:23 in the morning
and I’m awake
because my great great grandchildren
won’t let me sleep
my great great grandchildren
ask me in dreams
what did you do while the planet was plundered?
what did you do while the earth was unraveling?
surely you did something
when the seasons started failing?
as the mammals, reptiles, birds were all dying?
did you fill the streets with protest
when democracy was stolen?
what did you do
once
you
knew?...."
Read the full article on Psychology Today
✨Takeaway: Ecological grieving is a phenomena brought on by the continuing climatic collapse, and it might resemble trauma responses. This particular kind of suffering lacks social validation, direction, or support. Environmental grief and trauma can serve as a trigger for psychological change as well as more significant cultural changes.
✨Reflection: Have you ever or are currently experiencing ecological grief?
#Environment #Ecological #Grief #Trauma #Climate #Cultural #Change
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@innateJoy9602 I have experienced it and actually experience it on a chronic level. We always think our personal escapist scheme will suffice. Never can and never could...
@Screenname333
It is pretty stressful and overwhelming to think about. I’m with you. 💜
@innateJoy9602
I have a somewhat detached attitude towards this issue, because I know that during its long existence the Earth surface has gone through drastic changes, from all frozen to all tropical climate, mass extinctions have occurred.
For example, at the end of the Permian, 81% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species went extinct among many others).
We wish things were permanent, but they are always changing.
We are exiting a glacial age, so temperatures will rise. This doesn't exclude the possibility that humans are changing the atmosphere, significantly accelerating this process.
It happened before. All the oxygen in our atmosphere was put there by photosynthetic lifeforms, first cyanobacteria (which produced a massive extinctions of bacteria that couldn't tolerate oxidation), and then plants.
Of course, we should make our planet the most hospitable and comfortable possible for ourselves, and we might be going in the opposite direction now. This has to be corrected.
I have taken 1 to 1 chats with people (young mostly), extremely anxious about global warming and its impact. At first, I thought it wasn't so intense. But going deeper, it was clear the anxiety was very serious. Not to be taken lightly.
My approach is suggesting taking action, becoming active, for example joining advocacy groups, or any kind of volunteering work connected with the environment, with protecting animals, or with protecting plants.
In my experience, when a person can channel their worries and concerns in an active way, doing something to stop the damage they fear, or at least delay it, their anxiety decreases a lot, from extreme to mild. It works.
I might add that the world in Ukraine had a severe impact on many people as well, particularly the threats to use nuclear weapons. As improbable that the war expands to other countries, and even more, that nuclear weapons are used, I have talked to people across Europe freaked out by these possibilities. The closer to Ukraine, the more intense the fear.
And before, the Covid pandemic...
As the world is more interconnected, we are experiencing more and more "global crises" that create "global panics".
A new source of mental distress, that might get endemic and permanent in the XXI century.
A new challenge for the mental health community.
@HealingTalk
"We might be going in the opposite direction now" - Exactly. Yes, drastic changes have happened before in the long existence of earth. But, we are not making it any easier on our lovely earth now. Science shows human activity has impacted the changes in concentration in greenhouse gases. We should still be kind and look after it. At least to not make the process faster. Which I feel is one of the main concerns. The speed. Also, yes! I think younger generations tend to be more concerned. Especially, since it's more likely to impact them, then older generations.
-Those are wonderful approaches. Channeling our concerns into actions is always a very good idea. Definitely a new challenge for the mental health community. Always love hearing your perspective Marcelo! 💜
@innateJoy9602
You made me ask myself what was wrong with my thinking.
I tend to be put off by claims that "we are destroying our Earth" and "killing all Life" which is not true.
But even if Life thrives after all coastal cities are flooded, the tropics become inhabitable, floods and draughts sow havoc everywhere, and some species of lovely animals become extinct, it would be a catastrophe for humans.
With much hardship and suffering.
So it is more of a humanitarian tragedy than a threat to Earth's biosphere as a whole, which has withstood many seemingly deadly hits in the past. It would be terrible anyway.
So it is callous to overlook this human side. Shame on me. How could I have been so callous? Issue for reflection...
Second, under the uncertainty of a very complex and little-known system, but crucial for our survival or at least for our health and well-being, caution is imperative.
We can err on the safe side (measures taken were not necessary), but not on the wrong one (necessary measures were not taken), because in the second case, even if it had low probability, the consequences would be devastating.
@HealingTalk
All perspectives bring new outlooks. Yours was very much appreciated and welcomed! It gave me something to think about as well! But well said, a little caution never hurt anybody.💜
@innateJoy9602
Yes, it's a complex subject with many dimensions, and it's always good to put things in the context of the "big picture".
But for decision making the humanitarian cost is the most important and I overlooked that.
In any case, the mental health issue is there. This point stands no matter what. Some people are very scared.
Rightly so. Significant improvements are not in sight. The vested interests against change are huge. For example, the US, the largest polluter by far, has a vast, mind-boggling reserve of coal, so cheap to extract, it's almost like free energy. And China, the second, is a regime obsessed with GDP growth where public opinion doesn't count. The 3rd polluter is Narendra Modi's India. The 4th is Putin's Russia...
So might be the "big picture" is my refuge from all this.
@innateJoy9602, this is a very important topic. Thank you for making it more visible on this site. I am and I know quite a few people who are suffering from symptoms of grief and depression due to impending climate breakdown and ecosystem losses. Unfortunately, this will only become more widespread in time.
@MagnificentSunrise
Hiya sunrise! I’m sorry you’re feeling the symptoms. I’m definitely with you on that. Climate change isn’t a pretty subject. It can bring up so many negative emotions and often it’s easier to try to ignore. But, unfortunately ignoring doesn’t help the problem. I appreciate you reading. 💜
@innateJoy9602, I agree that ignoring it is a terrible choice. I've been pretty active, actually. (That hasn't helped with my symptoms though.)
@MagnificentSunrise
Hope you know I didn't mean you specifically were!! I meant in general, the world. xD It's hard conveying what you mean through text sometimes lol! But that's always great to hear you've been active!! <3💜💜