I’m often overwhelmed, unsure how to move forward. How do I focus on climate change when the government is committing acts of violence in plain sight?
It’s tough to balance these issues. Watching state violence and then trying to write about climate change feels disconnected. My job is to look at the future, but my worries keep pulling me back to urgent, painful realities.
Recently, I read about Alex Jeffrey Pretti, who passionately cared about the environment. His mother shared how he hated seeing nature harmed. If he could be concerned about both societal issues and environmental ones, so can I.
Too often, I think of climate change as a separate concern, but it’s not. It’s linked to the very violence we witness daily. The climate crisis kills quietly—through droughts, hunger, and displacement—while society often overlooks these deaths. Experts argue that climate change exacerbates migration pressures. A recent study found that extreme weather already drives people from their homes, which could lead to even more violence as conditions worsen.
On social media, I saw a video of birds migrating south for the winter. It had over 900,000 likes. It reminded me that migration is natural and borders are artificial. Yet, we must acknowledge that the climate crisis isn’t natural; it’s a choice made by those in power.
These aren’t just separate issues vying for our attention. They are intertwined stories of injustice and survival. As we progress, it’s important to stay focused and remind ourselves of our goals.
When I feel lost, I tell myself to take breaks when needed. It’s vital to recharge. We must remember that even in times of despair, there is room for hope.
So, how do you stay engaged with pressing issues? What keeps you motivated and hopeful? Let’s share our experiences, as we all face these challenges together. And when things get too heavy, baking always helps!
If you want to dive deeper into how climate change affects migration, check out this study on environmental impacts on migration.
