It's Not Easy Being Green
I'm not as happy as I used to be. Being a climate change policy advocate is a tough job. My days are spent working on an issue that could mean the end of the world as we know it. It's scary – and depressing – spending your waking hours reading about the catastrophic implications of sea-level rise and melting ice caps. Sometimes it's hard to focus on the hundreds of wonderful, positive things that surround me every day – a phone call from an old friend, a morning when my children sleep past 6:00 am – because these daily gifts are over-shadowed by the apocalyptic threat of climate change.
And these fears persist when I'm not technically at work. I was reminded of this reality repeatedly this winter when the temperatures in the DC suburbs crept into the 70s. I found myself briefly enjoying a picnic in the park – only to feel guilty about my happiness. After all, it seemed like there was a certain "appearance of impropriety:" how could I be happy wearing short sleeves in the middle of winter? And though part of me appreciated the time I saved this winter by not shoveling my front steps or bundling the baby before running an errand – I also believe these things are the necessary inconveniences of living on the East Coast.
It turns out, I'm not alone. In fact, there's an emerging field of "ecopsychology" – a cadre of about 120 therapists worldwide who explore the relationship between people and the environment. The New York Times recently wrote about the phenomenon – focusing, in particular, on people with "global warming anxiety." One therapist teaches the afflicted to follow a "multistep process that is similar to kicking an addiction." The prescription includes “'fasts'” from shopping, e-mailing, and the news, while cultivating calmer pursuits like meditation or gardening." Who knows, it might work – as long as the gardening doesn't occur on a warm winter day.
I, for one, am happy that spring is around the corner. At least then, I don't have to feel guilty about enjoying a walk in the park!
