Main Takeaways from A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety (By Sarah Jaquette Ray)

By Rebecca Mercado and Allie Vandewege

Each quarter, a group of students, faculty, and staff at WWU convene an environmental justice reading group to read and discuss recent texts. In Fall 2020 the group read Sarah Jaquette Ray’s A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety. This post reflects and extends our discussion. 

As we come to conclude, A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety by Sarah Jaquette Ray. It feels imperative to reflect back on our personal and group takeaways of the book as a whole. One of the main points that stood out from the book, and the conclusion specifically, was the idea of recognizing our power within the frame of the climate crisis. This motif was interwoven throughout the book and each chapter touched on ways in which we can do this. 

Although most of the issues regarding climate change stem from a need of institutional, systematic changes, there are still ways that we as individuals can make a difference. Start small, at a family or community level. No matter how “small” our actions are, like cleaning up garbage from your driveway, or attending community work parties, etc., these actions make an impact. With all the huge and terrible things happening on our planet, it’s easy to feel small and hopeless, but these small actions and a long term dedication to the cause makes a strong difference. Often these actions go overlooked, but are the most important to pay attention to and focus our energy on. We must acknowledge the large and pressing issues, but cannot let them consume us. The bigger a problem looks, the more difficult it seems to find a solution, but focusing our attention on the things we do have control over is much more productive and relevant to our day to day life. 

Another way to harness power as an individual is through self-preservation. This goes against our societal norms of constant hustle, but if we do not take care of ourselves, we will burn out. Combating climate change is a very time pressing matter and activists often plead that we need change “RIGHT NOW”, which indeed is true, but relying on our community and fellow activists is crucial in this regard. If you never sleep or nourish your wellbeing you are on a direct path to burn out. Take the time you need to care for yourself, your loved ones, and recuperate. Fellow activists will proceed making long term, important changes while you prepare yourself to deal with the hard work and heavy topics that lay ahead. Spend deliberate time focusing on self care practices and with the very Earth you’re fighting for.  

To dive deeper into this, Ray dedicates a chapter to the practice of mindfulness for dealing with climate anxiety. Being mindful with your everyday actions is a great way to combat anxiety and fear of the unknown, and focus on the present moment. I really think practicing mindfulness and prioritizing self-care is critical for anything in life, especially being a climate activist.  In Ray’s field guide she helps us understand our position as individuals in this movement. She aids readers on how to deal with the challenges of working in this field including “eco-guilt”, fear, sadness, loss, and adversity that we all experience when thinking about the future of our world. For success with this it is critical to recognize our own power and sphere of influence as something that will actively promote change, no matter how small it may be. This includes prioritizing self-care, making emotional space for dealing with bad news,using media in a healthy way to stay informed,practicing mindfulness,living harmoniously with all organisms inhabiting Earth,and focusing our attention and energy on the things that we do have control over. 

Overall a well written book. It was very relatable and informative and I definitely recommend the read.