Build Eco-Optimism and Resiliency Through Art

The current climate crisis may make us feel overwhelmed and find it difficult to find optimism. If you find yourself wrestling with these emotions and negative thoughts about the environment, know you are not alone. In fact, anxiety induced by thoughts of environmental defeat has its own term: eco-anxiety. Eco-anxiety has been defined as “chronic discomfort brought on by an overwhelming fear of environmental disaster,” and is a prevalent issue for many people, not just those who work in  the environmental field. A 2018 national survey indicated that almost 70% of people living in the United States are at least worried about climate change, while 51% of Americans feel “helpless” about it, illustrating how eco-anxiety affects a wide variety of people. These feelings can affect us on the macro level, impacting overall wellness of the world. They can have an impact on a smaller scale among Florida State University faculty, staff, and students.

While experiencing eco-anxiety is not pleasant, it indicates an important awareness of the environmental problems we may face and has the potential to fuel environmental activism and individual change. This post was created to acknowledge eco-anxiety and its prominence throughout society, while being able to discuss various ways to combat these feelings of stress and take a more positive, optimistic approach to climate-related issues.

 Below are some grounding techniques that are meant to help re-ignite our relationship with the very thing that drives us to fight against climate change: the beauty and interconnectivity of Earth.

Eco-art/Poetry

Art comes in many different forms and fashions and is a great outlet for self-expression and healing. Following this is a poem written by Wendell Berry, a famous writer/poet who doubles as an environmental activist and farmer, that touches on feelings of environmental despair and how to combat them, followed by a mad lib version of the poem as well as an artistic prompt meant to promote creativity, a sense of relaxation and a reconnection to the Earth.

Mad Lib-Style Poetry

The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry

When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

The _____ of the Wild Things by Wendell Berry &  ­­­­­­­______

When ______ for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in ______ of what my life and my children's lives may be, I go and lie down where the ______ rests in his ______ on the water, and the great _______ feeds. I come into the _______ of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of _______. I come into the presence of ______. And I feel above me the ______ waiting with their _______. For a time I rest in the _______ of the world, and am free.

Writing Prompt: A Love Letter to Earth

1. Grab something to write on/with. You can get as creative with it as you please – don’t be afraid to throw some paint in the mix!
2. Go to your favorite/nearest outdoor area and take a comfortable seat in the grass, or as close as you feel comfortable to the ground.
3. Take a moment to observe and appreciate your surroundings, beginning to think about why the area you chose is so special to you and what it means to be able to designate this time to enjoying the outdoors.
4. As you sit and observe, start to single out each of your five senses.
5. Start with sight, then continue with touch, hearing, smell, and finally taste. Do not worry – not every one of these senses has to be fulfilled in some grandeur way. The point of this portion of the exercise is awareness.
6. Keeping each of these experienced senses in mind, grab your writing utensil and take to paper.
7. Begin your love letter to the Earth. Start your letter with “Dear Earth,” and try and incorporate all five of the senses you gave awareness to throughout the page. Think about how the Earth supports and provides for you and the ones you love.
8. The letter can be as long as you want but try and make it at least a paragraph (I have a feeling once you start writing it will be harder to stop than you originally may have thought).
9. If you have not done so already, start at least one sentence with the words “Thank you for…”
10. Once you have finished the bulk of your letter and are prepared to finish, sign the bottom with one final word of regard (Sincerely, Love, Best, etc.) and your name.
11. Finally, add whatever final touches you wish to and place the letter somewhere that is easily accessible.
12. Now, if you ever experience an overwhelming amount of eco-related anxiety, you are able to return to this letter (or make a new one) and remind yourself why you love the Earth you are fighting to protect.