Dear Eartha, I have been loving the warmer weather lately but can’t shake the feeling that it shouldn’t be this warm in April. Do you have any tips on how to deal with the stress of climate change? 

You’re not alone. I’ve been appreciating the sunshine, too, all while thinking, “50s in April? That’s not normal for Summit County!” Our climate is changing: winters are getting shorter, snowpack is declining and summers are heating up. Feeling anxious about these changes is completely normal, especially when the changes impact the place we love to live. 

What is climate anxiety? 

You might not have heard the term climate anxiety before, but it refers to exactly how you’re feeling: stressed and anxious about the state of our planet and the impacts climate change will have on our communities and ecosystems. It’s become more common as climate impacts, and media coverage of them, become a regular fixture in our daily lives. Whether it’s an unusually warm day or doom scrolling through climate headlines, it’s hard to avoid the reminders. But managing that anxiety is important for both our well-being and our ability to take action for climate change. 

How to cope with climate anxiety 

One of my favorite quotes is from activist Joan Baez who said, “Action is the antidote to despair.” When you feel overwhelmed, taking action, big or small, can help you regain a sense of control and purpose. Remember, climate change isn’t inevitable. There’s a lot we can do to fix it. 

Start with personal actions 

Acting on climate change doesn’t have to start with knocking on the president’s door (or, more realistically, standing outside of the White House gates). Instead, you can make important changes in your personal life that can still make a difference. Here are a few great ideas: 

• Eat more plants: Shifting to a plant-based diet is good for your health and the planet, helping lower carbon emissions and conserve water. 
• Bank with the climate in mind: Many major banks fund fossil fuel projects. Switching to a climate-friendly bank aligns your money with your values. 
• Talk about climate: Sharing why you care about climate change can inspire friends and family to care, and act, too. 
• Rethink your ride: Transportation is a major emissions source. Carpool, take transit, or consider an electric vehicle to shrink your footprint. 

Get involved locally 

One of the best ways to cope with climate anxiety is to get involved with your community. Not only will you find people to relate to, but you’ll also be inspired by all the amazing actions your neighbors are already taking to address climate change. Luckily, Summit County has many climate-related opportunities and programs, so it’s easy to do your part. Here are a few ways to take action: 

• Start composting your food scraps: Leftover food can cause serious greenhouse gas emission when they are thrown in the landfill. You can join High Country Conservation Center’s Food Scrap program and keep your food scraps out of the landfill. 
• Electrify your home: Make the switch from gas-powered appliances to ones that run on electricity. You’ll save emissions and invest in the clean energy economy. Plus, you can get rebates to make the switch.
• Volunteer with a local environmental non-profit: There are many nonprofits to choose from, all of which need volunteers to do their important work.

Push For broader change 

While individual and local efforts are both meaningful and empowering, lasting solutions to climate change also depend on large-scale action at the state, national, global and corporate levels. When more people speak up, organize, and demand change, it puts pressure on leaders and institutions to respond. That is the power of collective action. Here is how you can help create large-scale change: 

• Call your elected officials to tell them to support climate initiatives 
• Donate to environmental organizations driving climate action 
• Vote in the next election 
• Support businesses that align with your climate values 

The good news? There are countless ways to take action, and every step helps ease climate anxiety while making a difference. The more people who get involved, the stronger our collective impact. So, start small, stay consistent, and invite others to join you. Together, we can build a more hopeful, climate-conscious future — one action at a time. 

Ask Eartha Steward is written by the staff at the High Country Conservation Center, a nonprofit dedicated to waste reduction and resource conservation. Submit questions to Eartha at info@highcountryconservation.org.