"Are we all doomed? And if not, what can help us move beyond despair into something more useful?"

When despair feels like the only rational response to our world's challenges, how do we move beyond it without burning out?

We explore sobering data: 48% of young people feel dismissed when talking about climate change, with three-quarters describing the future as "frightening." Nita reflects on climate activist Patience Nabukalu's powerful words: "2050 is too late for communities like mine. Promises that far away are a death sentence."

Sol introduces "judgment vs discernment" - moving beyond anger and othering into constructive action. The episode includes a guided compassion practice for acknowledging fear without being controlled by it.

This isn't about denial or toxic positivity - it's about finding sustainable ways to stay engaged without burning out on despair.

Key Practices:

• Guided compassion meditation for working with fear
• Questions for moving from judgment to discernment
• "What story am I telling myself?" self-inquiry

Reflection Questions:

• When does despair show up in me? What does it feel like?
• What story am I telling myself right now?
• What else might be true?

Resources Mentioned:

• BBC Ideas Earth Day research on young people and climate change (YouTube video: https://tinyurl.com/fpbffpp9)
• Pod Save the UK episode featuring Patience Nabukalu (Crooked Media: https://tinyurl.com/4ucjttw6)
• Sol's post on "othering" in sustainability work (Linkedin: https://tinyurl.com/mr8acy5y)

Connect with Sol: https://www.thealtacademy.co.uk/ Connect with Nita: https://bio.site/nitapwoods

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