The climate crisis is on our doorstep. How can we keep eco-anxiety in check?

As Storm Bert swept across the UK last month, rain lashed relentlessly against the houses and a river of mud and debris thundered through the streets of Cwmtillery in Blaenau Gwent, Wales. Residents were evacuated as torrential rains from the storm caused a coal tip landslide to hurtle towards the village. People’s homes were flooded with contaminated water and left coated in mud.

One of the local organisations impacted was Pentref Tyleri, a social enterprise working on community-led nature regeneration projects, which recently entered into a partnership with Friends of the Earth and the Co-operative Bank as part of their nationwide Postcode Gardeners programme. 

In the aftermath of Storm Bert, the entire village has pulled together for the clean-up operation. Ralph Connor, co-founder of Pentref Tyleri, said: “On the night of the landslide, we were all working together to try to minimise damage and prevent more water coming down, shovelling earth, carrying heavy stones, and redirecting the flood water. Every single mud-covered person was there because we have a collective responsibility and a community worth saving.”

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As the climate crisis intensifies, extreme weather events like storms, flooding and heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent and severe. Storms are given names in the UK when they reach a level that has the potential to cause significant disruption, requiring amber or even red weather alerts. Storm Bert is one of four named storms to hit the UK since the beginning of the season in September.  

Globally, we’ve seen deadly recent flooding across Europe, wildfires in Canada and scorching heatwaves in South and Southeast Asia following the world’s hottest summer. According to scientists, it’s now ‘virtually certain’ that 2024 will be the hottest year on record.  

It comes as climate denier Donald Trump was re-elected to the White House and last month’s UN climate talks (COP29) in Baku ended in disappointment and dismay over the lack of investment to support developing countries adapt and transition to greener economies.  

These aren’t far away issues happening in far off lands that we can ignore, because the climate crisis is already knocking at our door and joined up, global action is essential to protect us all from runaway climate breakdown. 

It’s no wonder that people feel worried about the future and anxious that Trump’s second term will usher in a new wave of climate denial. The warning signs are already flashing in the UK, with new Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch describing herself as a “net zero sceptic”. And with the horrifying surge in far-right riots and anti-migrant violence this summer, and an emboldened far right opposed to climate action, there are many reasons to be concerned. 

But there are many reasons to feel hopeful too. We know that any moves to dial down the climate action needed to protect our planet now and for future generations will be met with strong resistance. Support for green policies and action to meet the UK’s climate targets remains high with recent polling showing  that nearly three-quarters of people back the shift to net zero.  

We saw an incredible demonstration of strength and unity as diverse communities and movements have come together to oppose all forms of oppression and racism. Just as people come together to support each other after devastating climate extremes like Storm Bert.  

We also know that we have the solutions to the climate and nature crises. By ensuring our governments invest in supporting communities to adapt to the current impacts of climate extremes and by rapidly cutting emissions in line with national and global climate goals, we can help avert the worst of climate breakdown.  

Ralph believes Storm Bert was an opportunity “to bring in those who hadn’t considered climate change before and convince them that it’s a genuine and increasing danger to us all”.

And that community-led projects, like Pentref Tyleri’s wetland restoration work, funded by Natural Resources Wales, are key to protecting against the impacts of climate change, adding: “As Cwmtillery Lake over-spilled, Afon Tyleri burst its banks, and mud and coal spoil rushed through my house, the wetland did an incredible job taking all the water nature could throw at it. It serves as perfect justification for community-led, nature-based solutions to climate change.”  

Next month, Friends of the Earth and the Co-operative Bank’s Postcode Gardener scheme, in partnership with Pentref Tyleri, will launch its plans to restore nature in 50 locations in the local area over two years. After recent events, there’s already great appetite from the community to develop more wetlands and other natural drainage systems.  

It’s understandable to feel powerless in the face of huge global challenges. But there are meaningful actions we can all take to make a difference and help keep our eco-anxiety in check. Joining or supporting a local environmental group to support climate and nature initiatives in your area, signing petitions or emailing your MP, all help to grow the movement and build the grassroots power needed to secure national and global change.

We can also make positive changes as individuals, such as rewilding our gardens, planting pollinator-friendly plants in our pots or window boxes, switching to a green bank that invests in renewables rather than fossil fuels, cutting down on meat and dairy, reducing flights and shopping for pre-loved items.    

The response to Storm Bert in Cwmtillery shows the positive difference community and individual actions can make. And now, more than ever, we need to come together to ensure our governments act on climate and protect communities in the UK and around the world already at risk.

Rosie Downes is head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth.

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