How to function when feeling overwhelmed by Eco-Grief, S26 Ep7

As a follow on to last Tuesday’s program on Eco-Anxiety, we now shine the light on Eco-Grief, a profound sense of loss felt in response to the negative impacts of global warming on the planet. It is an experience of deep sadness about the consequences of environmental degradation of our air, land, and waters, and the subsequent loss of many species, along with natural systems’ breakdown on our precious planet.

While Eco-Anxiety focuses on the anxious anticipation of environmental problems and their potential impacts, Eco-Grief centers around the emotional response to the actual loss and damage in the environment that has already occurred and continues. Both are interconnected responses to negative environmental change that often require validation and action to manage.

To help understand the impact of Eco-Grief, and ways we can work with it, Ruth’s joined by The Euroa Arboretum’s, Cathy Olive and Libby Woodhouse, along with Alison Trethowan, who is the facilitator for the newly formed Granite to Goulburn Biodiversity Recovery Alliance - an alliance of local environmental groups, (which includes The Euroa Arboretum, ‘The Arb’), who are working together to restore the Granite to Goulburn landscape following the Longwood bushfires of this January. https://www.biodiversityrecoveryalliance.com 

Eco-Grief is especially present at this time due to these recent Victorian bushfires - some of which are still burning. Nearly 500 human homes have been confirmed lost along with 15,000 farm animals, and countless native animals have suffered and perished, along with their natural habitat.

We’re beginning to talk about what climate change is doing to us not just what needs to be done about it. Acknowledging and expressing our grief is a starting point for naming what we’re feeling, allowing us to see that this is a collective experience, and that it’s okay to feel this way.  This is especially critical for young people who need to be able to experience ‘active hope’ for a healthy future for the planet.

Indigenous people are more consciously aware of their kinship with the natural world so we can only imagine how intensely personal their ‘eco-grief’ must be.

Cath, Libby, and Allison are passionate conservationists and regenerative nature gardeners, inspired by landscape restoration that cultivates and supports biodiversity of natural habitat for wildlife to thrive. Cath works alongside Traditional Owners to best manage Country to also create positive environmental outcomes whilst balancing the needs of community and farmers.

With decades of experience between them, all three guests continue to offer significant leadership in environmental restoration education enabling many people to reconnect with nature and participate in programs that help restore biodiversity in their region.

Libby is know as ‘a local national treasure’. Quote from Cath: “If anyone can turn around Eco-Grief, it’s our Lib!” Her successful restorative care for the Seven Creeks bush in Euroa has inspired others to join her, and learn from her, bush gardening techniques. “Libby is a tireless worker and volunteer… Her energy and interests seem unstoppable“. In the 2022 Australia Day awards, Libby was named Strathbogie Shire Citizen of the Year. “Her passionate concerns are for both the environment and the community”.

Alison works in environmental education in projects like ‘RiverConnect’ in Shepparton, as well as running her own small business, ‘Find Your Feathers’, which aims to re-connect people with nature for the physical and mental health benefits that comes with spending time in Nature. Previously a Social Worker in both youth work and mental health she brings with her valuable insights from experiencing and witnessing Eco-Grief in others.

Our guests will reflect how they overcome this profound sense of loss by acknowledging and validating the grief, along with seeking others who feel the same. We need to know we’re not alone. We’ll learn from their experience of how we can become stronger and more creative in finding innovative solutions to help us contribute to a healthier planet and our own collective healing.

Useful links:

https://www.biodiversityrecoveryalliance.com