Eco Anxiety? Do something local, immediate and with others

Feeling overwhelmed by the climate crisis? Try doing one small thing close to home. Evidence suggests that taking action—especially when it’s local, immediate, and shared with others—can be a powerful antidote to eco-anxiety.

Why This Change Matters
Eco-anxiety is real, and it can feel paralysing. But getting involved in your local environment connects you to community, gives you a sense of agency, and proves that change starts exactly where you are.

Ways to Make This Change

• Join forces: Look up your local “Friends of the River” or “Friends of the Woodland” group and get involved.

• Get your hands dirty: Grab a litter picker and clear up a roadside verge or neglected green space.

• Learn and grow: Sign up for a course on local wildlife, plant identification, or community conservation.

• Start small, feel big: Even a half-hour cleanup or a conversation with a fellow volunteer can shift your perspective from powerless to proactive.

What Might Happen
You might meet some new neighbours. You might learn the name of a tree you've walked past for years. Most importantly, you might feel a little less alone—and a little more hopeful.