Truth be told, I avoided looking at graphic pictures of the Los Angeles fires and the climate crisis it represented for as long as I could. And then, on Tuesday morning, my client in Oregon sobbed during the counseling session, talking about how her soul hurt watching acres and acres of forest land burn through, as animals ran helplessly, and birds struggled to fly higher and higher, away from the smoke. I worry about my clients and community members as fire season approaches in Oregon this year.

The climate crisis has always meant a deep sense of sadness for my clients, and community members. But, as I dig deeper in multicultural work, and understand how profoundly my clients are affected by colonization, I see that it hits Brown and Black clients very differently. Nature, for many of us, is not separate from our physical beings. For many of us, the health of our forests and animals is deeply linked to our own wellbeing. This is especially true for my Native clients who have watched their lands being stolen and disrespected by centuries now. 

Thus, people impacted by climate change are people impacted by trauma, and can have trauma reaction

How can we prepare/support ourselves during this season of deep anguish and suffering?

Me-centric care:

1. Find moments to intentionally disconnect from the media showing the wildfires, or floods, or other forms of climate crisis. This can be guilt inducing in the beginning, especially when done without careful consideration. Recognize that taking time away from the news can help you avoid burnout and dissociation, and in fact help you better respond and advocate for climate health! 
2. Find rituals or healing and praying that help you ground. Growing up, when I was dealing with difficult emotions, my mother would fill a bucket of water and ask me to water each plant, one-by-one. This act helped me focus on what I can do in the moment and thank the Creator for the gifts that I can still enjoy
3. Reach out to other like minded people to find community and support. Isolating oneself can make the challenge feel even bigger than it really is. 

Other-centric care:

1. Reach out to a friend or family member that you know is worrying about climate change in a similar way. Check in on how they are doing. 
2. Offer to go on nature walks or work in a community garden with a friend, to immerse yourself in nature. If you live in Oregon, there are numerous BIPOC centered walking groups, like this one. 
3. Offer environmentally friendly resources to your local food bank or buy nothing groups. These can include reusable bags, compost kits, local vegetable seeds, gently used clothing, or other items that reduce the strain on natural resources/gifts

Climate-centric care:

1. Reach out to your local water facility to see if they offer subsidized resources for rain water harvesting. I haven’t used tap water to water my vegetable garden for a long time now, thanks to the rain barrels I got. 
2. Buy local as much as possible, especially if you can thrift it. Numerous environmentalists state that we have enough materials, including clothes, to never have to manufacture anything new. 
3. Start a vegetable garden. Growing even a few mustard greens for your salad can be a good start. Oregon State University offers some amazing resources on easy gardening items. Local libraries also offer seed exchange for free! 

Climate change can be terrifying and also deeply wounding for many, especially Black and Brown folx. Reaching out to a mental health therapist and working through these difficult emotions can be significantly helpful! Learn more about my practice here, or check out my psychology today profile!

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