The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

destruction of nature takes a toll on the human psyche. Here's one way to cope

  • Written by Ross Westoby, Research Fellow, Griffith University
destruction of nature takes a toll on the human psyche. Here's one way to cope

Predictions of catastrophic climate change seem endless – and already, its effects are hard to ignore. Events such as bushfires, floods and species loss generate feelings of sadness, anxiety and grief in many people. But this toll on the human psyche is often overlooked.

Our research has investigated the negative emotions that emerge in Australians in response to the destruction of nature, and how we can process them. We’ve found being in nature is crucial.

Our latest research[1] examined an eco-tourism enterprise in Australia. There, visitors’ emotional states were often connected to nature’s cycles of decay and regeneration. As nature renews, so does human hope.

As our climate changes, humans will inhabit and know the world differently. Our findings suggest nature is both the trigger for, and answer to, the grief that will increasingly be with us.

three bushwalkers traverse a green ridge
Immersion in nature can improve people’s emotional wellbeing. Tourism Queensland

Emotions of climate distress

Our research has previously examined how acknowledging and processing emotions can help humans heal[2] in a time of significant planetary change. This healing can often come about through social, collective approaches involving connection with the Earth’s natural systems.

Eco-tourism experiences offer opportunities to connect with nature. Our recent research[3] examined the experiences of tourists who had recently stayed at Mount Barney Lodge in Queensland’s Scenic Rim region.

The eco-tourism business is located on Minjelha Dhagun Country, next to the World Heritage-listed Mount Barney National Park. The region was badly affected[4] by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020.

Through an online questionnaire conducted last year, we sought to understand visitors’ psychological experiences and responses while at the lodge.

Seventy-two participants were recruited via an information sheet and flyer placed in the lodge reception. The youngest was aged 18, the oldest was 78 and the average age was 46. Some 71% were female and 29% were male.

We found 78% of respondents experienced sadness, anger, anxiety and other grieving emotions in response to current pressures on the Earth’s life supporting systems.

One reflected on how they “have laid awake at night thinking about all the biodiversity loss [and] climate change and wept” and another said they felt “so sad for the animals” in the face of bushfires or urban sprawl.

Read more: This is Australia's most important report on the environment's deteriorating health. We present its grim findings[5]

two koalas huddle on felled trees
Environmental destruction triggers sadness and other emotions – but immersion in nature can help. WWF Australia

Another participant spoke of their sadness following bushfires in the Snowy Mountains fires of New South Wales:

This area is where I [spent] much of my youth, so it was really sad to see it perish. I felt like I was experiencing the same hurt that the environment (trees, wildlife) was – as my memories were embedded in that location.

This response reflects how nature can give people a sense of place and identity – and how damage to that environment can erode their wellbeing.

But grief can also emerge in anticipation of a loss that has not yet occurred. One visitor told us:

When I was little, I thought of the world as kind of guaranteed – it would always be there – and having that certainty taken away […] knowing that the world might not be survivable for a lot of people by the time I’m a grown-up – it’s grief, and anger, and fear of how much grief is still to come.

Anger and frustration towards the then-federal government were also prominent. Participants spoke of a “lack of leadership” and the “government’s inability to commit to a decent climate policy”. They also expressed frustration at “business profits being put ahead of environmental protection”.

Participants also said “it feels like we can’t do anything to stop [climate change]” and “anything we do try, and change is never going to be enough”.

fire officials stand in front of smoke-filled landscape
Participants felt they lacked control over the effects of climate change. Sean Davey/AAP

Healing through immersion in nature

Emotions such as ecological grief[6] and eco-anxiety[7] are perfectly rational responses to environmental change. But we must engage with and process them if their transformative potential[8] is to be realised.

There is increasing evidence[9] of nature’s ability to help people[10] sit with and process complex emotional states – improving their mood, and becoming happier and more satisfied with life.

Participants in our study described how being in natural areas such as Mount Barney helped them deal with heavy emotions triggered by nature’s demise.

Participants were variously “retreating to nature as much as possible”, “appreciating the bush more” and “spending as much time outside [so] that I can hear trees, plants, and animals”.

Read more: 6 books about the climate crisis that offer hope[11]

Participants explained how “being in nature is important to mental wellbeing”, is “healing and rejuvenating” and “always gives me a sense of spiritual coherence and connection with the natural world”.

For some, this rejuvenation is what’s needed to continue fighting. One participant said:

If we don’t see the places, we forget what we’re fighting for, and we’re more likely to get burned out trying to protect the world.

Similarly, one participant spoke of observing the resilience and healing of nature itself after devastation:

[I] find peace and some confidence in its [nature’s] ability to regenerate if given a chance.

green grass springs from blackened landscape
This image of Mount Barney National Park shows nature’s ability to regenerate after bushfires. Innes Larkin

The call back to nature

Our findings suggest immersing ourselves in nature more frequently will help us process emotions linked to ecological and climate breakdown – and thus find hope.

Eco-tourism sites promote opportunities for what’s known as eutierria[12] – a powerful state that arises when one experiences a sense of oneness and symbiosis with Earth and her life-supporting systems.

Through this powerful state, it’s possible for one to undertake the courageous acts needed to advocate on behalf of nature. This is essential for the transformations Earth desperately needs.

Read more: Where to find courage and defiant hope when our fragile, dewdrop world seems beyond saving[13]

References

  1. ^ research (www.mdpi.com)
  2. ^ heal (doi.org)
  3. ^ research (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  4. ^ badly affected (www.climatecouncil.org.au)
  5. ^ This is Australia's most important report on the environment's deteriorating health. We present its grim findings (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ ecological grief (www.nature.com)
  7. ^ eco-anxiety (www.thelancet.com)
  8. ^ transformative potential (www.nature.com)
  9. ^ evidence (link.springer.com)
  10. ^ help people (journals.sagepub.com)
  11. ^ 6 books about the climate crisis that offer hope (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ eutierria (www.cornellpress.cornell.edu)
  13. ^ Where to find courage and defiant hope when our fragile, dewdrop world seems beyond saving (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/laid-awake-and-wept-destruction-of-nature-takes-a-toll-on-the-human-psyche-heres-one-way-to-cope-187837

The Times Features

How to Manage Debt During Retirement in Australia: Best Practices for Minimising Interest Payments

Managing debt during retirement is a critical step towards ensuring financial stability and peace of mind. Retirees in Australia face unique challenges, such as fixed income st...

hMPV may be spreading in China. Here’s what to know about this virus – and why it’s not cause for alarm

Five years on from the first news of COVID, recent reports[1] of an obscure respiratory virus in China may understandably raise concerns. Chinese authorities first issued warn...

Black Rock is a popular beachside suburb

Black Rock is indeed a popular beachside suburb, located in the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It’s known for its stunning beaches, particularly Half M...

What factors affect whether or not a person is approved for a property loan

Several factors determine whether a person is approved for a real estate loan. These factors help lenders assess the borrower’s ability to repay the loan and the risk involved...

The Affordable Protein Solution

With the cost-of-living crisis hitting Australians hard, many are making New Year’s resolutions to get fitter and healthier without breaking the bank.  Amid rising food costs, ...

Does the Sydney property market still offer rewarding investment opportunities

Investing in Sydney’s property market has historically offered rewarding returns, characterized by consistent capital growth and strong rental demand. Since the 1980s, Sydney’s ave...

Times Magazine

What workers really think about workplace AI assistants

Imagine starting your workday with an AI assistant that not only helps you write emails[1] but also tracks your productivity[2], suggests breathing exercises[3], monitors your mood and stress levels[4] and summarises meetings[5]. This is not a f...

Aussies, Clear Out Old Phones –Turn Them into Cash Now!

Still, holding onto that old phone in your drawer? You’re not alone. Upgrading to the latest iPhone is exciting, but figuring out what to do with the old one can be a hassle. The good news? Your old iPhone isn’t just sitting there it’s potential ca...

Rain or Shine: Why Promotional Umbrellas Are a Must-Have for Aussie Brands

In Australia, where the weather can swing from scorching sun to sudden downpours, promotional umbrellas are more than just handy—they’re marketing gold. We specialise in providing wholesale custom umbrellas that combine function with branding power. ...

Why Should WACE Students Get a Tutor?

The Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) is completed by thousands of students in West Australia every year. Each year, the pressure increases for students to perform. Student anxiety is at an all time high so students are seeking suppo...

What Are the Risks of Hiring a Private Investigator

I’m a private investigator based in Melbourne, Australia. Being a Melbourne Pi always brings interesting clients throughout Melbourne. Many of these clients always ask me what the risks are of hiring a private investigator.  Legal Risks One of the ...

7 Reasons Why You Need to Hire an SEO Expert for Your Business

Ranking on Google isn’t just an option—it's essential for business success. Many businesses striving for online visibility often struggle to keep up with the complex and ever-changing world of search engine optimisation (SEO). Partnering with an SE...

LayBy Shopping