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The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released a report recommending an attempt to limit warming to 1.5℃ instead of the previously recommended 2℃. The mainstream media have presented this report in a startling way, reporting that we have only 12 years to limit warming before the effects are too large to manage. My concern with this reporting is I see it generating depression, anxiety, fear and overwhelm and, as a consequence, many are concluding that there’s no hope.

I believe it’s worthwhile to apply mindfulness to this issue. Feelings of anxiety and helplessness are valid, natural reactions to the UN’s report. The problem of climate change feels so very large that we cannot fathom how it can be successfully addressed. Our feelings of helplessness are so big that we cannot see past them, and we allow them to paralyze us.

But, there is something you can do. In fact, the solution requires every individual person to take action.

Every time you choose to walk instead of driving, you’re making a difference.

Every time you refrain from buying something that’s over-packaged, you’re making a difference.

Every time you email an elected official to express convince them to make positive change, you’re making a difference.

Every time you vote for someone who supports positive change, you’re making a difference.

You have dozens of opportunities to make a difference every day. If each one of us applies mindfulness to each one of our choices, collectively we can create discernable change.

Valerie Masson-Delmotte, the Co-Chair of the UN’s Working Group said, “The good news is that some of the kinds of actions that would be needed to limit global warming to 1.5ºC are already underway around the world, but they would need to accelerate.” They cannot accelerate if we all give in to helplessness.

The first step is to get past the feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, because they are standing in the way of action.

 

This Week's Peaceful Moment: Stuttgart, GermanyThis photo is copyright protected and used with permission

 

Last week, in Part 1 of the Non-judgement Series, you saw how accepting negative situations and emotions helps you let go of the habitual reactions that cause you to suffer more. Once your add-on reactions are cared for, you can turn your attention toward making positive decisions. You could choose to tolerate the situation, or you could choose to change it for the better. Either way, you’re in a less emotional place where it’s easier to make logical decisions.

You can apply the same practice to your overwhelming feelings of anxiety, fear, and helplessness. Today’s guided meditation walks you through the steps of putting your attention on your emotions and noticing your reactions to them. There is benefit in doing this meditation more than once. Over time, you’ll strengthen your ability to let go of reactions. Then, you’ll be better able to take positive actions.

I’ve been writing specifically about climate change, but there are many other potentially overwhelming situations we’re dealing with right now: negative politics, racism, human rights abuses, and more. The strategy for managing any of them is the same: sit in non-judgemental awareness of the issues and your reactions to them, let go of your reactions, and move forward by taking positive action.

To close this episode, I want to express a personal belief. Many feel like we’re living in horrible times, faced with a collection of frightening, intimidating issues. I don’t believe that. It’s true our daily news is filled with scary events, but I think this is happening now,