Finding Joy: How To Energise Your Climate Action

Discover how to motivate and revitalise your climate action by identifying the environmental and sustainable habits that bring you purpose and joy.

The urgent need for environmental action to tackle the immediate and future impacts of climate change remains crucial. Remedies that mitigate rising temperatures, extreme weather, and biodiversity loss—which are already impacting ecosystems and human livelihoods—should not be ignored or delayed.

There is no denying that focusing on sustainability and making changes to counter or at least slow global warming are significant undertakings. Individual and community actions are essential and valuable parts of a broader need for robust industrial and government-led environmentalism.

In our own personal lives, the climate actions we take will in large part depend on our circumstances, abilities, and interests/knowledge. There are so many different ways to introduce eco-friendly living into our everyday existence, but not all of them will be appropriate or accessible to us. And that’s okay. What we can all do, however, is find what sparks purpose (and often, by default, joy).

This post is part of the Climate Change Collective, a dedicated group of bloggers that tackle environmental and climate-related issues. The lead post this month, ’Two Years of the Climate Change Collective Series’ was written by Michelle from Boomer Eco Crusader.

The Useful and Uplifting Benefits of Finding Purpose and Joy

No matter what it encompasses, finding purpose enhances our psychological well-being by cultivating a sense of direction and meaning. If we’re able to connect our climate action to this, for example, we as individuals can pursue goals with renewed determination.

Purpose also teaches us how to navigate challenges with perseverance and strength. It also frequently brings with it a key motivator: that of experiencing joy as a positive energy that sustains our actions (and vice versa). Additionally, joy can act as a counterbalance to climate anxiety and burnout, offering emotional relief and resilience.

This is why Michelle’s post summarising and celebrating the two-year anniversary of the Climate Change Collective is so empowering. It’s a reminder to the readers of our environmental posts, but also for those of us who participate in this blogging group that community action can bring about intentional feelings of purpose and joy.

Discovering what ignites positive emotions within us can be the start of something really wonderful, and I think it’s worth figuring out what that is.

A Spotlight on the Inequalities of Climate Change

It’s essential to be aware that for many of us, finding purpose and joy in the various climate actions we undertake can come with a certain amount of privilege. Making everyday sustainable lifestyle changes that contribute to the fight against climate change can be fulfilling, and we should not shy away from that, but at the same time we must remain mindful of the profound inequalities that exist in this crisis. Not all communities have the luxury to choose how they engage with climate issues; many are on the front lines, experiencing the harshest impacts of global warming and/or the extractive industries or government policies that continue to threaten the planet.

For certain communities, climate change isn’t just a cause; it’s a daily threat. None of us are immune from the devastating impact that escalating rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and habitat destruction bring about. Currently, however, the hardest hit communities are those that either have fewer resources to adapt to the rapidly changing environment (often fuelled by historical and existing systemic inequalities) or they have highly specialised and balanced ecosystems that make them more vulnerable to environmental shifts. Some of the most affected areas include:

• Indigenous Communities: Many Indigenous Peoples, such as those in the Arctic, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Pacific Northwest, rely on their natural environment for sustenance and culture. Climate change threatens these ecosystems, putting their way of life at risk.

• Rural Communities in Developing Countries: Areas dependent on agriculture and natural resources, such as parts of Central America, the Sahel in Africa, and South Asia, are experiencing more intense and unpredictable weather patterns, leading to crop failures, water scarcity, and loss of livelihoods.

• Coastal Communities: Areas in South Asia, particularly Bangladesh, and parts of South East Asia are experiencing increased flooding, storm surges, and coastal erosion. These events displace large numbers of people, damage infrastructure, and disrupt livelihoods.

• Low-Lying Island Nations: Countries like the Maldives, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands are facing existential threats from rising sea levels. These communities are at risk of losing their homes and entire nations as their land is submerged.

• Sub-Saharan Africa: This region faces severe droughts, extreme heat, and desertification. Agriculture, the backbone of many economies here, is being heavily impacted, leading to food insecurity and displacement.

As we seek meaning and satisfaction in our actions, we must acknowledge that the ability to take this position is not universally shared. True climate justice involves amplifying the voices of those most affected and supporting efforts that address these disparities. By being conscious of our privilege, we can engage in climate action more equitably, ensuring that our pursuit of purpose and joy does not overshadow the urgent needs of those already bearing the brunt of environmental devastation.

We will all be impacted by the climate crisis one day, though in very different ways. We are sailing the same troubled waters, but in very different boats. Vulnerable countries that contribute the least to climate change suffer the most. | Brianna Fruean (Samoan Environmental Advocate and Activist)

Supporting communities most impacted by climate change involves a combination of direct assistance, advocacy, and long-term strategies. Here are some effective ways to help:

• Donate to or Collaborate With Grassroots Organisations: Support groups that make sure the voices and needs of the most affected communities are prioritised and included in direct action initiatives to combat climate change. This could include groups like National Black Environmental Justice Network (NBEJN); Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN); 350 Pacific Climate Warriors; Amazon Watch; Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA); La Via Campesina; and Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA). A quick internet search will yield many other useful results.

• Volunteer and Provide Direct Assistance: Find groups that work directly with impacted communities. Volunteering time or skills can make a tangible difference, whether it’s through rebuilding efforts, educational programs, or advocacy. There’s also the need for providing immediate support in the form of donations, supplies, or volunteer work when disasters strike to help communities recover more quickly.

• Support Fair Trade and Ethical Products: Purchase from companies and brands that source their items sustainably and pay fair wages to workers in climate-affected regions (and encourage others to do the same). This can reduce environmental harm while providing some economic stability.

• Support Policy Changes: Advocate and vote for climate policies that include provisions for vulnerable communities, such as funding for adaptation and mitigation projects or the establishment of climate justice funds.

• Amplify Voices from Affected Communities: Share the stories and perspectives of those on the front lines of climate change, ensuring their voices are focused on in local, national, or global decision-making processes, ensuring that their needs and perspectives shape climate policies. Educate others about the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalised communities and advocate for policies that prioritise these groups.

How To Find Purpose and Joy in Climate Action

There are several things we can do to find and cultivate a sense of purpose and joy when implementing climate action in our lives. Our contributions have a positive impact and can foster motivation. To create this kind of direction, we can:

• Identify and Align With Personal Values: Whether it’s protecting wildlife, ensuring a livable planet for future generations, or living sustainably, connecting our actions to our core values gives our efforts deeper meaning. There are many issues that we could take up, but focusing on a few things that personally resonate with us will be quite motivating, as we already have a vested interest in making a difference.

• Set Meaningful Goals: Define what we’re good at and what success looks like when taking climate action. It’s important to be realistic and not be put off if there are certain things we cannot achieve. Personal circumstances and accessibility may well inform what and when we can do it. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of climate change, but by concentrating on the actions within our reach, we are more likely to find workable solutions.

• Join Like-Minded Groups: Engage with local or online communities that share a passion for the environment. Working with others can amplify our efforts and create a sense of belonging. There’s also the possibility of accessing encouragement or guidance whenever we need it, which can be crucial if/when we struggle.

• Take Small, Consistent Steps: Build momentum and satisfaction by concentrating on what we can control and celebrating our progress as we make it. Tracking how we are doing will also help us see the tangible results of our commitment to environmentalism.

• Spread Awareness: Sharing knowledge and resources about climate change with others is a great way to get involved in campaigns or movements that push for environmental policy changes. Knowing we’re part of a larger systemic shift can give our actions greater purpose.

By integrating these approaches, we can transform climate action into a powerful source of joy, fulfilment, and a deeper sense of purpose. Engaging with our personal values, building supportive communities, and celebrating small victories can infuse our efforts with meaning.

This transformation not only enhances our own role but also amplifies the positive impact we have on the environment, making our climate action both rewarding and impactful.

In Summary

If we want to sustain our motivation for taking climate action and create meaningful change, we need to tap into what makes us feel positive about what we’re doing. This won’t always be easy, but it can be used to help us find a path forward (and rest when we feel climate overwhelm). 

Purpose fuels commitment, while joy makes the journey gratifying, reinforcing our dedication to protecting the planet. By embracing these approaches, we can be more impactful in our own everyday lives and create a climate action plan that grows with us. 

What environmental action are you passionate about? How are you tackling climate change in your life?

---

Further Info:

How To Find Joy in Climate Action – TED Talk via Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

Good News – The Daily Climate