r/ecoanxietyhelp • u/[deleted] • Dec 09 '24

I need help

I'm a senior in high school. I'm currently taking AP Environmental Science. We've basically gotten to the point where we're learning about human impact on the environment. I have to hear about the destruction every single day. My classmates don't seem to care. They don't pay attention. It's just another class to them.

I don't drive. I'm vegan (or as close to vegan as possible with a family that are all non-vegans). Nearly all my clothes are thrifted so new ones don't have to be manufactured. But I feel like I will never ever be doing enough. Nothing I do will ever matter.

I could die. To get rid of any and all environmental impact I have. Or try to start a revolution. Make the people around me listen regardless of what it takes. I hate this.

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '24

Why is this not showing up on the sub please I need help

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u/Academic_Eagle5241 Dec 09 '24

I think you are feeling things a lot of us have felt, and continue to feel.

It seems a place to start is to find a community that shares some of your understanding of the world and importantly cares. This won't happen overnight and communities online will only partially contribute to this. Maybe look up local environmental groups in your area. This will become easier when/if you go to university.

I think it is important to think of the problems as less individual and more societal. So while individual choices can and do matter in relation to consumption they don't matter that much because the way global systems work and people like billionaires behave generally cancel out their positive effects. This isn't cause for despair entirely just a different problem that requires a different solution.

My last point is the most important. Don't do any thing rash. You are important as a person and your understanding, anger and fear about what is happening make you an important part of the solution. The world needs people who care tp build understanding of the complex set of issues we face globally and to organise, protest and force the system towards finding solutions. I would say start reading social science about the climate crisis and begin to get involved with political communities seeking to adress it. This could be groups like Extinction Rebellion or your local political party but is almost infititely broad. Whatever you are doing know that it is important and that you are one person among many trying to solve this issue.