“Doing something small, local and immediate—especially with others—is a powerful way to move through eco-anxiety.”
– Jacqueline Hill
Let’s be honest. The climate crisis is overwhelming. Between the headlines and the doomscrolling, it’s hard not to feel helpless. That creeping feeling - that no matter what we do, it won’t be enough – is what we’re starting to call eco-anxiety.
As Jacqueline Hill points out, the antidote might be surprisingly close to home.
Jacqueline is a leadership coach, change mentor and co-lead of Friends of the River Eden Ecosystem. She’s spent decades supporting people who are trying to make the world better – from humanitarian leaders in Bangladesh and Namibia to those working in climate and regeneration right here in the UK.
What she’s learned is that when we do something small, local and shared – it changes us.
Why It Helps
When you’re stuck in worry, it’s easy to feel like nothing will make a difference. But go outside and pick litter for 20 minutes, or help clear a riverside path with others, and something shifts. You’re no longer stuck in your head. You’re in your body, in your community, and actually doing something.
And doing something feels good.
It reminds us we’re part of the solution – even if it’s just in one small patch of land. It shows us we’re not alone. That others care too.
What You Could Do
Here’s what this might look like in practice:
- Maybe you already have a "Friends of..." group focused on local nature near you. Alternatively, pretty much everyone will have a local Wildlife, Woodland or Rivers Trust to join and volunteer for. Check out the national organisations' websites and see which groups operate near you.
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Grab a litter picker and head out with a friend for a walk with a purpose.
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Take a local course in nature, biodiversity, or seasonal foraging. You’ll start seeing your surroundings differently.
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If there isn’t a group near you – start something. You’re probably not the only one who’d show up.
What You Might Notice
You could come away with a cleaner street. But also, maybe a new connection. A lighter mood. A stronger sense of belonging.
You might even notice the tree you’ve walked past every day but never really seen before.
As Jacqueline says, people often come to her wanting to create a positive future from change they didn’t ask for. And that future doesn’t start with huge gestures. It starts with a bag, a stick, a riverbank, or a chat over a cup of tea after clearing a path.
So if you’re feeling stuck or anxious, don’t wait for the perfect global fix. Just step outside and see what’s right in front of you.
It’s a pretty good place to start.