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Hi John,

Every time I read about another heat wave, another climate fire, yet another natural disaster—my guilt about the climate crisis only gets worse.

Climate shame. That feeling that one should be doing more to help the environment.

With our planet teetering on the brink, it’s easy to feel trapped by climate guilt. 

And I’m not alone. 45% of young people have said their feelings on climate change affect their daily lives. I know this summer has made my own climate guilt worse. … How about you?

My climate shame is at its peak when I unpack my weekly groceries. 

When climate shame, anxiety or guilt strikes, Caroline Hickman, a leading climate psychologist says, “trying to shut those feelings down would not be preparing and supporting people for the world that’s coming.” 

So when mine hits me like that, I don’t minimize it. My fears are real. They stem from real concerns surrounding real consequences to the very real climate crisis. 

I try to to break out of shame by counteracting my negative self-talk with one positive action:

• I’ll listen to a podcast—How to Save a Planet is one of my favorites.

• I’ll get online and sign a petition—like the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Climate Action Petition.

• I’ll make my one call a month for the climate because I’m a member of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby—have you joined yet?

• I’ll post or share something on social media—Britt Wray and 350.org are always good sources.

And I’ll try to acknowledge all the things that I am doing. 

I call it my “moment of climate gratitude.” Maybe my choices are small, and maybe it won’t make a huge difference—but I do use reusable bags; I do shop sustainably and at second-hand stores; I’ve been cutting out plastics where I can, and eating less meat. I recycle.

     And I’m grateful that I’m in a position to do so.

I also try to neutralize my climate anxiety with facts. 

The truth is that, as much as I might feel like I’m the huge planet problem, rationally I know that me and my personal plastic waste isn’t anywhere near as large a problem as the world’s biggest polluters. 

Since 1880, nearly two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions have been caused by just 90 companies. The coal, oil and natural gas companies that dominate that list have almost single-handedly ruined our environment. And the fossil fuels these companies produce are also the source of single-use plastics—another significant cause of greenhouse gas emissions. Why stop at one way of destroying the world when you can diversify?

And they’ll keep it up if the rest of us are guilted into doing nothing. Shame paralyzes; cynicism cripples; despair subdues. 

One of the reasons I ran for Congress last year was so we would have the power for ourselves—to demand action, to demand accountability, to demand true change. 

We won’t ever stop the climate crisis unless we hold our government and these mega-polluters accountable for their role in creating the crisis. 

And, we’re not going to let them win. 

—Alexandra

Even Fuzz knows that Alexandra is working hard to hold our elected officials accountable and to ensure they pass legislation that makes a Green New Deal a reality. It’s time to make sure our leaders keep their promises. 

Please make a $5 contribution to stand with Alexandra in support of legislation that safeguards our planet, our freedoms, our access to healthcare and housing, and everywhere we want to be—it’s time for a healthier, happier America for All. And that matters. 

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