Climate anxiety: Finding hope through reconnecting

The idea of ‘as above, so below’ has been around for centuries. It can be interpreted in a number of ways, one of which is that life on earth is a microcosm of what is happening in the universe. Human beings have long bought into this idea by using Zodiac and the Tarot to connect with ‘the universe’ or a higher power. To ground this idea more in reality, it could be rephrased as ‘as within, so without’ – whatever is going on in one’s inner landscape is being constellated around them.

For example, if a person has a chaotic inner world, then chances are that this will be reflected in their lifestyle and relationships. This idea suggests that everything is connected. This is reflected in the natural world, too. Mycelium, a root-like fungal structure, runs underground like neural pathways, connecting all plant life.

This influences happenings in the world above-ground, as it allows plants to share minerals, but also to communicate with each other and to warn one another of impending dangers such as an approaching predator.

The disconnect: Trauma and the industrial drive

Many people are living with trauma and the after-effects of adverse childhood experiences. These can cause an inner turmoil that is impacting the way that we relate to each other and our environment.

When we carry unresolved trauma or the weight of a busy, industrial life, our inner landscape becomes a place of turmoil. We find ourselves 'disconnected' – not just from the earth, but from our own bodies and feelings. One of the ways that this is evident in the climate crisis is through the commodification of the planet.

For many people, society is often characterised by a drive towards wealth and gain. Many of us are caught in the endless cycle of living to work and have lost touch with our innate connection to the planet. In some cases, our inner issues are causing us to dissociate, making the weight of climate anxiety feel overwhelming and making it very difficult to connect in any meaningful way.

The split from our roots

Traditionally, humans have had a close relationship with the planet. This is reflected in various myths about the role of nature in our lives, and also through religious teachings about our relationship with the earth.

In the West, it could be argued that this connection with nature began to disintegrate in the fourteenth century when a logical, scientific approach to religion began to be adopted. In the seventeenth century, the philosopher Francis Bacon argued that humans should exploit nature for their own benefit. At around this time, capitalism began to emerge and eventually took over from agrarianism.

Centuries of industrial progress have taught us to see nature as something to be 'used' rather than lived with. This shift hasn't just damaged the planet; it has caused a split in our own psyches. We feel like 'other' to nature, and in that separation, we lose our sense of meaning. In actual fact, we live 'in' the planet rather than on it. We are of nature. 

Healing the inner landscape

By taking better care of our own inner landscape, we can interact with our environment in a healthier way. There are various ways of doing this, one of which is via talking therapy. Eco-psychotherapy is an emergent field of talking therapy, working from the premise that human beings are part of and connected to the planet.

There are various methods employed by Eco-psychotherapists, one of which is working outdoors. Here, the natural world is used as an alternative therapy room. By working outside, participants can interact directly with the elements and see what comes up for them. Being outside offers a different, more creative way of working, as well as a renewed appreciation for the natural world.

Sometimes, participants might be asked to pick something from the natural environment that they feel represents them. In the natural world, clients may feel that they can connect more to their felt experience, as insight emerges from direct sensory engagement with nature.

Finding meaning and hope

Both traditional talking therapy and Eco-psychotherapy can help us to find more balance within ourselves. This can open up a sense of belonging and reverence towards the natural world.

Much like the mycelium that connects the forest floor, therapy helps us rediscover the hidden 'neural pathways' between our thoughts, our bodies, and the world around us. It allows us to communicate with those parts of ourselves we’ve long ignored.

Eco-psychotherapy provides a container for climate anxiety, moving beyond just 'talking' and into direct engagement with the natural world. When we project our inner turmoil outward, we can act in destructive ways and contribute to the issues around us. In showing ourselves more compassion, we will be able to engage with the world and the planet in a more compassionate way. This may help us to find more meaning and hope in the climate crisis. 

If you are struggling with climate anxiety or a sense of disconnection, you’re not alone. Working with a therapist may help you explore these feelings in a supportive way, at your own pace.