Try to imagine a journey with no rigid itinerary, no photos you've already seen a hundred times online, no urge to capture the exact same shot everyone else is queuing up for. 

It may be difficult.

Somewhere along the way, we have lost the instinctive, emotional connection to the places we visit, leaving travelers with nothing but the memory of something they'd already seen on a screen, and a landscape stripped of the authenticity it once had. Local traditions get reshaped, or hollowed out entirely, to meet visitor expectations, turning entire neighborhoods into stage sets for strangers hungry for a cliché. 

Even food doesn't escape this flattening: menus get translated, spice gets dialed down, and centuries-old recipes are simplified into whatever version is easiest for an unfamiliar palate to swallow, a quiet flavor homogenization that erases the very identity travelers came looking for.

Have we ever stopped to ask what these mass-travel habits, shaped by the social media era, actually cost? The damage is real, and it rarely announces itself all at once, it builds quietly, in three directions at once: the communities who call these places home, the ecosystems that sustain them, and the very idea of what travel was supposed to feel like.

**Effects on Communities**

Unchecked mass tourism erodes the character of the cities it descends upon, and the pattern is remarkably consistent everywhere it happens. Rising demand inflates real estate prices until residents in central neighborhoods can no longer keep up. Housing is converted into short-term rentals, and the nearby shops, pulled into the same current, grow pricier and reshape themselves around what visitors expect rather than what locals actually need. Small, independent businesses get swallowed by international chains chasing the same foot traffic, accelerating gentrification block by block. An overabundance of visitors can make even the simplest daily errands difficult, and nights grow loud with behavior residents never signed up for, until people stop recognizing their own neighborhood and stop feeling at home in it. 

Examples include:

- **Barcelona, Paris, Rome**: City centers are steadily depopulating as apartments convert into short-term rentals.
- **Bali**: Once known as a place to disconnect, immerse in ritual, and surf in peace, the island is now grappling with unchecked development that has filled it with chain hotels and shopping malls. Denpasar, the capital, sits under near-constant traffic and pollution, while beaches like Kuta struggle with waste management systems that were never built to keep pace with the crowds.

**Effects on Ecosystems**

Unregulated tourism growth is pushing some of the planet's most fragile ecosystems past their limit. Overconsumption of resources sits at the center of it, water and energy demand in tourist hubs regularly outpacing what the land can regenerate, leaving popular destinations under genuine water stress. Protected natural spaces degrade under the weight of waste that exceeds local disposal capacity, illegal activity that thrives wherever oversight is thin. Resort construction is pushed through in areas rich in biodiversity, with little regard for what's being paved over. Left unmanaged, none of this is temporary; the damage accumulates long after the last guest checks out.

Examples include:

- **Fragile habitats**: Excessive trampling in protected areas, natural “souvenir” collection (coral, shells), and unchecked construction all put biodiversity directly at risk.
- **Emissions and waste**: Travel and tourism accounted for 7.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, while waste volumes in high-density tourist areas routinely exceed what local systems can handle.
- **Resource strain**: The Canary Islands absorbed over 10 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2025 alone, a scale of demand on water and energy that islands were never built to sustain.

**Effects on the Places Themselves**

**S**ome of the most damaging visitor flows aren't even the ones that stay. Hit-and-run tourism, massive crowds arriving for just a few hours before moving on, congests a destination's most fragile points without leaving much behind in return. 

Cruise tourism makes the imbalance obvious: in the Caribbean, ships account for the vast majority of all tourist arrivals, but because meals, shopping, and entertainment are already paid for on board, very little of what passengers spend ever reaches the shore. Thousands of people flood the same streets and monuments for just a few hours, overwhelming narrow historic centers built for a fraction of that traffic, then retreat back to the ship.

**What Can We Do?**

Being a responsible traveler doesn't require grand gestures, just a shift in how we show up:

- **Look with your own eyes, not through a screen: **Seek out the story behind a place instead of chasing the shot everyone else has already taken.
- **Spend where it stays:** Choose local shops, restaurants, and accommodations over the chains built to catch tourist traffic, they're the ones who actually reinvest in the community.
- **Ask, don't assume: **What's genuinely typical of a place often has little to do with the cliché sold to tourists. Locals are the best source.
- **Choose certified, not just labeled, sustainable: **Third-party sustainability certifications, GSTC-accredited ones especially, verify that a hotel or tour operator actually follows through on its claims, rather than just marketing itself as eco-friendly. When in doubt, ask if a property or operator has been certified before booking.
- **Leave the lightest footprint you can: **Dispose of waste responsibly, stick to marked trails, and stay mindful of water and energy use, both are often scarcer than they look from a hotel room.

None of these actions demand much, but they can be the difference between visiting a place, and quietly wearing it down. In the end, being a responsible traveler is really about listening to what draws us to travel in the first place: immersing ourselves in a culture, watching with admiration instead of interference, remembering that we are simply passing through a place whose history and identity existed long before us – and that deserves to go on long after.

What we should be bringing home isn't a checklist; it's stories, knowledge, and discoveries that actually change how we see things. We don't travel to check boxes off a disconnected list. We travel to grow.


Travel Without Harm: Becoming a Conscious Tourist in a Fragile World

Deforestation is often discussed in terms of biodiversity loss and increased carbon emissions. However, removing forests also changes the local climate in ways that can directly harm human health. Tree loss can raise ground temperatures and intensify heat stress, creating particular risks for communities that depend on tropical ecosystems for water, food and livelihoods.

Deforestation is therefore not only an environmental problem but also a public health and development challenge. Evidence from tropical regions shows that forest loss increases local warming, while forests help keep temperatures lower through evapotranspiration and other surface processes. Protecting forests can provide both mitigation and adaptation benefits.

**Evidence: Forest Loss and Temperature Rise in the Tropics**

A study published in [Nature Climate Change in 2025](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02411-0) examined deforestation and temperature changes across the Amazon, the Congo and parts of Southeast Asia. Using about 20 years of satellite observations, researchers compared areas that retained forests with those that lost tree cover. Forested areas warmed by about 0.2°C, while deforested areas warmed by about 0.7°C (Reddington et al., 2025). This suggests that forest removal can significantly amplify local warming.

Satellite research in Indonesia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea reached a similar conclusion. Deforestation was found to heat some local areas by as much as 4.5°C, while warming extended into undisturbed forests up to six kilometers away (Thompson et al., 2021). Forest loss can therefore create hotter zones beyond the land that has been directly cleared.

**Why Forests Cool: Evapotranspiration and Surface Heat**

Forests regulate temperature mainly through _evapotranspiration_. Trees absorb water from the soil and release it as vapor through their leaves. This works much like sweating: evaporation uses heat, which cools the surrounding air and surface. Forests also provide shade, protect the soil from direct sunlight and help it retain moisture. Their effect on _albedo_, or the amount of sunlight reflected by a surface, also influences the local energy balance.

**A Public Health Risk: Heat Stress and Vulnerability**

Higher temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and greater strain on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Low-income communities, outdoor workers, children and older adults are often most exposed because they may have limited access to cooling and healthcare. The 2025 Nature Climate Change study associated tropical deforestation with around 28,000 heat-related deaths each year (Reddington et al., 2025). This shows that forest loss can cause preventable human harm, not only environmental damage.

**Beyond Heat: Livelihoods, Agriculture and Food Security**

Forests support local water cycles, soil moisture and rainfall patterns. When trees are removed, water systems can become less reliable, harming farmers and weakening food security. These pressures can compound: rising temperatures increase health risks, while disrupted ecosystems threaten income and crop production. Communities already affected by poverty, limited healthcare and dependence on climate-sensitive agriculture face the greatest danger.

Deforestation can also create a feedback loop. Cleared areas become hotter and drier, increasing the risk of further degradation and making forest recovery more difficult. Over time, this can contribute to more frequent heat extremes and continued ecosystem loss.

**What Has Been Done So Far?**

The [United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)](https://www.undrr.org/) has developed a [web-mapping tool](https://www.preventionweb.net/news/deforestation-can-raise-local-temperatures-45-and-heat-untouched-areas-6km-away) that shows how forest loss can influence local temperatures in Southeast Asia. It can help decision-makers connect forest protection with lower CO2e emissions and immediate heat benefits (Thompson et al., 2021). Brazil is also setting up a fund intended to reward countries that protect tropical forests.

International funding, however, remains uneven. Some European countries have supported related facilities, but substantial commitments outside Norway have been limited. Treating forest loss as a distant problem overlooks its cross-border consequences, including migration pressure, air pollution, biodiversity decline and disruption to food supply chains.

**What Else Can We Do to Stop Deforestation?**

Reducing meat consumption and shifting towards more plant-based diets can reduce pressure for agricultural expansion. A Nature modeling study suggests that replacing 20% of beef consumption could reduce projected deforestation by about 50% (Humpenöder et al., 2022; FAO, 2022).
Supporting Indigenous Peoples and recognizing their forest rights is another cost-effective approach. Evidence cited by the [Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)](https://www.fao.org/home/en) suggests that strengthening Indigenous stewardship and land rights can reduce deforestation by 20% or more, making this one of the most cost-effective approaches available (FAO, n.d.).

Companies must also check whether commodities in their supply chains are linked to forest loss. The EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products is designed to require stronger checks on traded goods. This matters because international commodity trade is connected to roughly 40% of tropical deforestation (FAO, 2022; European Union, 2023).

Protecting forests is an immediate investment in public health, livelihoods and food security, as well as a long-term response to climate change.

**References**
- European Parliament and Council of the European Union. (2023). Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products. <http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1115/oj>
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2022). Global agricultural supply chains, deforestation and responsible sourcing. <https://www.fao.org/markets-and-trade/areas-of-work/emerging-trends-challenges-and-opportunities/global-agricultural-supply-chains--deforestation-and-responsible-sourcing/en>
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (n.d.). Forest governance by Indigenous and tribal peoples: How can Indigenous and tribal peoples help combat deforestation? <https://www.fao.org/americas/priorities/indigenas-gobernanza-bosques/how-can-indigenous-and-tribal-peoples-help-combat-deforestation/en>
- Humpenöder, F., Bodirsky, B. L., Weindl, I., Lotze-Campen, H., Linder, T., & Popp, A. (2022). Projected environmental benefits of replacing beef with microbial protein. Nature, 605, 90-96. <https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-04629-w>
- Reddington, C. L., Smith, C., Butt, E. W., Baker, J. C. A., Oliveira, B. F. A., Yamba, E. I., & Spracklen, D. V. (2025). Tropical deforestation is associated with considerable heat-related mortality. Nature Climate Change, 15, 992-999. <https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-025-02411-0>
- Thompson, S., Corrêa, D., Duncan, J., & Crompton, O. (2021, November 15). Deforestation can raise local temperatures by up to 4.5°C - and heat untouched areas 6 km away. PreventionWeb/UNDRR. <https://www.preventionweb.net/news/deforestation-can-raise-local-temperatures-45-and-heat-untouched-areas-6km-away>



Deforestation and Rising Temperatures: A Double Threat

They tear up our gardens, invade our homes, and spread disease. We may refer to them as vermin, rodents, pests, or nuisances, but what if we have overlooked their ecological benefits? Each creature is equipped with traits adapted through evolution. With these evolved characteristics, they interact with certain elements of the natural world through symbiosis, which can be categorized into [parasitism, commensalism, and mutualism](https://www.wildlifeact.com/blog/symbiosis-commensialism-mutualism-parasitism-neutralism-competition-predation).

You may view them as parasites, feeding off of your hard work in the garden or nibbling on your freshly painted baseboards from last month. But let’s just pause and consider the mutualistic benefits of some of these critters.

**What is a pest, and why are they a problem?**

Any organism, insect, weed, fungus, or animal is socially categorized as a pest once they cause harm, damage, or any major annoyance to humans. Pests are a problem because they cause harm to economic or ecological systems, such as a farmer’s crops. 

**Rats**

Despite their reputation, rats actually do a bit of good in their natural ecosystem. In the wild, they are [seed dispersers](https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.70013). While they are skittering about, they are eating nuts, seeds, and fruits. They deposit these seeds in new locations through their droppings. This, in turn, spreads more plant species and supports diversity in ecosystems. Rats break down organic materials and help recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. 

**Mice**

Mice are burrowers, which in the wild is beneficial for the ecosystem. Their digging [aerates the soil](https://biologyinsights.com/what-role-do-mice-play-in-the-ecosystem/), increasing air and water flow, and promotes the decomposition of organic matter. In turn, they encourage a more nutrient-dense soil for plants to grow. Like rats, mice are also seed dispersers; they store and collect seeds near their burrows. Mice are an important food source for several predators such as birds of prey, reptiles, and larger mammals. They play an integral role in maintaining predator-prey relationships. 

**Prairie Dogs**

An icon of the Great Plains is the small but mighty prairie dog. Prairie dogs are a keystone species, as their burrows [provide habitat for over 120 species](https://cpw.state.co.us/living-prairie-dogs), such as the burrowing owl, black-footed ferrets, and other arachnid and insect species. Their influence on the ecosystem promotes better digestibility, protein content, and productivity of grasses near their sites, with some cattle even [preferring to graze near prairie dog sites](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0118602#sec007) because of the growth of nutritious plants. 

**Raccoons**

Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores, which is just a fancy way of saying that they eat whatever is readily available. This includes birds, insects, small animals such as mice and rats, and even dead animals. They are actually great for pest management; by eating dead animals, they help slow the spread of disease. They also act as seed dispersers, which helps encourage local plant growth. 

Despite their ecological roles, these animals can still pose challenges for property owners. Rather than resorting to inhumane traps and dangerous poisons, consider preventative measures like properly storing food and securing waste bins. Maybe even consider yourself an ally to these critters by [cultivating a biodiverse yard and garden](https://www.earthhero.org/articles/make-your-yard-a-refuge/). By promoting a healthy ecosystem, pest populations are kept in check, turning a nuisance into a functional part of your local environment. For inspiration, check out other Earth Hero articles, such as [how to make your yard a refuge](https://www.earthhero.org/articles/make-your-yard-a-refuge/). 

_Also see these Earth Hero articles:_
- [Make Your Yard a Refuge](https://www.earthhero.org/articles/make-your-yard-a-refuge/)
- [Growing Change: How Local Urban Agriculture Initiatives Can Transform Communities](https://www.earthhero.org/articles/growing-change-how-local-urban-agriculture-initiatives-can-transform-communities/)
- [Building Climate Resilience: Where Function Meets Fun](https://www.earthhero.org/articles/building-climate-resilience-where-function-meets-fun/)



The Unexpected Role of Pests

Art, through its nonverbal mediums, has the power to captivate a viewer and inspire revolutions. Artistic movements have emerged as a reaction to societal change, with the art itself being a manifestation of reflection and perception. Historically, art has not only responded to humanity’s growing distance from nature but also helped lay the philosophical foundation for the environmental and climate activism that continues today.

Pop Art incorporated imagery from popular culture and advertising, often replicating or drawing inspiration from mass manufacturing processes. While Pop Art responded to the [rise of consumer culture](https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/pop-art/consumer-goods-mass-media-and-popular-culture), other artistic movements reflected broader consequences of modernity: humanity’s departure from the natural world.

For hundreds of years, we have sown the seeds of industrial plants, which have blossomed into mechanized, urban landscapes. When industrialism began in the late 1700s, [so did Romanticism](https://www.metmuseum.org/essays/romanticism). The Romantics believed that emotional power and natural intuition, not just reason and order, were equally valid ways to understand the world. Artists at this time focused on the beauty, awe, and the sublime in their work. Romantic art rejects industrial change, emphasizing an individual’s connection to nature and a longing for the old ways of life. 

In Caspar David Friedrich’s 1818 painting, _[The](https://www.caspardavidfriedrich.org/The-Wanderer-Above-The-Mists-1817-18.html)_[ _Wanderer Above the Mists_](https://www.caspardavidfriedrich.org/The-Wanderer-Above-The-Mists-1817-18.html), a lone man stands at the edge of a rocky cliff. He faces towards the foggy landscape below him, framed by vast and towering mountains. The work reflects a core belief of Romanticism: nature is not something to be conquered, but something to be confronted with humility and awe. 

This perspective of the natural world inspired artists to capture the iconic American landscape, such as Albert Bierstadt in _[Gates of the Yosemite](https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/gates-yosemite-75432)_ and Thomas Moran in _[The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone](https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/grand-canyon-yellowstone-17831)_. Their paintings show nature in its rawest form, bigger than life, overfilled with emotion. The way they portrayed landscapes created worthiness for protection from industrial, mechanized use. 

Along with inspiring other environmental artists, Romantic thought created a domino effect of romantic ideals. It fostered a philosophical world in which pioneering thinkers like Aldo Leopold, author of _A Sand County Almanac_, could later thrive. He developed the [Land Ethic](https://www.aldoleopold.org/about/the-land-ethic), a moral code that tied romantic ideals to emerging environmentalism. The Land Ethic presents the idea of the natural world as a community, one in which humans are deeply intertwined. This concept is one of emotion, declaring a respectful connection over domination in the natural world.

By reframing the natural world as sublime rather than rational, the movement reshaped how Americans understood the natural world. It invited dialogue about preservation and conservation, and eventually shaped national policy. After _The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone_ reached the desks of the federal government, “[capturing the imagination of Congress](https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/historyculture/yellowstoneestablishment.htm),” President Ulysses S. Grant established the first national park, Yellowstone National Park. 

The remains of Romanticism are sprinkled throughout modern environmentalism. The Romantic philosophical values of reverence and emotion for the natural world over an industrial one are very much prevalent today. Romantic artists transformed landscapes into symbols of ethical responsibility, inspiring protective institutions and pioneering environmental thinkers like Aldo Leopold. Even though the movement began hundreds of years ago, it left a living influence on environmental change. Today, environmental activism still draws on this legacy of using art and imagery to spark care, reflection, and action.


Historical Art Movements and Environmentalism

The world is on the move and increasingly, this movement is driven by clean energy. Electric mobility is not just a technological trend but a concrete step towards a healthier, more resilient, and fairer planet. In a time marked by climate challenges and accelerated urbanization, rethinking how we move around may be one of the most powerful decisions we make as a society.

**A new chapter in the history of transportation**
While for decades mobility was synonymous with burning fossil fuels, today we are witnessing a significant transformation. Electric vehicles (EVs) – from bicycles to trucks – offer a quiet, efficient, and non-polluting alternative, paving the way for cleaner cities and more sustainable lifestyles. The electrification of mobility is also an urgent response to the transportation sector, [responsible for around 25% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions (IEA, 2023)](https://www.iea.org/energy-system/transport/electric-vehicles). Replacing gasoline-powered vehicles with electric options can drastically reduce this impact. As electricity to charge EVs increasingly comes from clean sources, basically meaning not burning oil, gas, and coal, then less pollution ends up in our atmosphere.

**Growth that is already happening**
As most of us can see on the roads and elsewhere every day, the transition is already underway. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), [more than 14 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide in 2023, representing almost 20% of global new car sales](https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2024/trends-in-electric-cars) – a jump from the 9% recorded in 2021. China is leading this movement, but countries in Europe, the United States, and even regions of the Global South have seen steady growth, driven by public policies, tax incentives, and greater environmental awareness. In addition, the variety of models available makes EVs accessible to different profiles and budgets. In many countries, an EV has already become the most cost-effective and better driving option thanks to technological advancements.

**Benefits that go beyond the environment**
Adopting an electric vehicle is also a choice that has a positive impact on everyday life. With a lower cost per kilometer driven and simplified maintenance, the driver's wallet will thank you. In addition, the lack of noise and smooth driving make the driving experience much more pleasant. Plus, some EVs have auto drive features that literally do 99% of the driving for you, which is a game-changer. Another important point is energy independence: when charged with solar or wind energy, EVs reduce our dependence on imported fuels and bring us closer to the much-desired energy sovereignty.

**Building a sustainable mobility ecosystem**
But electric mobility is not limited to private cars. In many cities, electric buses are replacing old fleets, and electric micromobility initiatives – such as shared bikes and scooters – are making urban transport more democratic and inclusive. Investing in charging infrastructure is also at the heart of this transition. According to the US Department of Energy, charging networks are expanding at a rapid pace: in the US alone, [there were more than 160,000 public charging stations installed by the end of 2024](https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity-locations#/find/nearest?fuel=ELEC), and with ultra-fast charging technologies, refueling a car could take less time than making a cup of coffee. Plus for many, it is much more convenient and cheaper to charge at home.

**An electric future that depends on all of us**
Electric mobility is a bridge between the present and the future. But its consolidation depends on conscious choices – from consumers as well as governments, companies, and communities. Every decision counts: supporting sustainable public policies, investing in renewable energy, and choosing vehicles with a lower environmental impact. Luckily, that is increasingly the easier choice to make with the technological advancements of EVs.

More than an innovation, electric mobility represents an opportunity. A chance to redesign our cities, reduce inequalities in access to mobility and ensure that the right to come and go is in line with the right to breathe clean air and live on a habitable planet. The engine of the future is already on. And it is electric.


Electric Mobility: Sustainable Paths to a Future in Motion

Earth Hero Interview: Scientist Rebellion

Solid waste management is a significant concern worldwide as solid wastes generate externalities that impact human health, environmental quality, and economic stability. Poor waste management contributes to the pollution of land, air, and water, with ocean plastic pollution alone costing approximately $13 billion annually and methane emissions from organic waste contributing about 5% of global greenhouse gasses. According to the IMF in one of its working paper series [www.imf.org](https://www.imf.org/-/media/Files/Publications/WP/2019/wpiea2019283-print-pdf.ashx) the challenge is higher in developing economies where waste collection rates average only 43%, compared to 85% in upper-middle-income countries.

Developing countries often struggle with inadequate waste collection systems, particularly in low-income settlements where high-density living makes waste management even more difficult. Without regular collection services, waste ends up in open spaces, contributing to environmental contamination and public health issues, such as the spread of diseases like malaria, typhoid, and cholera.

Yet all hope is not lost; one innovative approach is the concept of paid waste returns, where individuals receive financial incentives for returning recyclable materials. The paid waste return system offers a promising solution to these challenges. By providing financial incentives for returning recyclable materials, such as glass bottles or cans, this system can improve recycling rates and reduce litter.

This system is not new, and it has been effective in some developed countries. For instance, in Ontario, Canada, a deposit return system for beverage containers helps reduce the volume of glass and other materials in landfills, repurposing them for higher-end uses like new bottles or road-building materials; see [Ontario's Deposit Return Program](https://github.com/EarthHeroOrg/EarthHeroiOS/issues) for more information.

In the United States, curbside collection systems coupled with deposit returns have proven effective in reducing roadside litter by up to 64%. Similarly, buy-back centers, which purchase recyclable materials from the public, offer both economic incentives and contribute to resource recovery. While not perfect, these centers create jobs within the local community and support sustainable manufacturing practices by reducing the waste sent to landfills.

**Making Money From Waste**

Apart from the preservation of the environment, turning waste into wealth presents a significant economic opportunity. At the household level, individuals can generate income by participating in recycling programs, bringing in extra revenue that can support their families. Incentivizing recycling can reduce the burden on city budgets for waste management and landfill maintenance. In addition, the sale of collected recyclables can generate revenue, which can be reinvested into improving waste management infrastructure or supporting community programs. Buy-back centers, for example, not only help in resource recovery but also create local jobs and stimulate economic activity within the community; see [this article for more information on how this can play out](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article). 

The revenue generated from recycled materials can be substantial, especially when scaling up operations to include a wide range of recyclable products. This dual benefit of cost reduction and income generation highlights the potential of paid waste return systems to drive economic growth while addressing pressing environmental issues.

While the paid waste return system has clear benefits, it is not without its pitfalls. In less developed countries, where informal waste sectors play a significant role, the implementation of such systems can come with some challenges.

There is a risk that paid waste returns could unintentionally widen the gap between those who can participate in the system and those who cannot. In low-income areas where informal waste pickers already play a crucial role, the introduction of formalized systems must ensure that these workers are not pushed out but rather integrated into the formal waste management economy; see [this article about things policymakers can do to empower informal waste workers](https://www.undp.org/blog/unsung-heroes-four-things-policymakers-can-do-empower-informal-waste-workers).

Developing countries may face challenges in maintaining and operating the necessary infrastructure. A [report by the United Nations](about:blank) revealed that frequent breakdowns of collection vehicles, slow repair times, and inadequate funding can undermine the effectiveness of paid waste return systems. Lessons from developed economies highlight the need for robust support mechanisms and infrastructure to sustain these programs.

Buy-back centers and deposit return systems must also be carefully designed to avoid inconveniencing local residents and businesses. For instance, centers should be strategically located near industries and commercial hubs to ensure a steady supply of recyclable materials and minimize disruption.

Paid waste return systems offer a valuable tool in the quest to address climate issues and poverty in less developed countries. By incentivizing recycling and reducing waste, these systems can drive environmental and economic benefits. A balanced approach, incorporating lessons from both developed and developing economies, will be essential in turning waste into wealth while addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and poverty.

For additional information and actions, see “[Recycle plastic properly](https://www.earthhero.org/act/422-recycle-plastic-properly)” and [Recycle in all the right places](https://www.earthhero.org/act/429-recycle-in-all-the-right-places)**.**


From Waste to Wealth: Paid Waste Returns Could Be a Double Win for Developing Countries

Cities are built for people, but we aren’t the only ones living there. As climate change disrupts traditional habitats, many species are migrating to urban areas to find food and shelter. Cities and towns worldwide are reimagining what it takes to become more resilient and inclusive of biodiversity.

**3D Printing for Habitat Creation**

[Urban Reef](https://www.urbanreef.nl/), a design company in Rotterdam, uses advanced 3D printing technology to create crevice-covered structures inspired by the complex geometrical shapes of natural coral formations. These habitats are made of clay or mycelium\* (the “roots” of [fungi](https://www.earthhero.org/act/757-learn-about-and-support-fungi)) and have surfaces for moss and mushrooms to grow, cavities that can be used by nesting birds, and indentations for insects.\*\* 

Once installed and given time to flourish these urban reefs host plants that absorb pollutants and produce oxygen. The vegetation supported by urban reefs can lower a cities heat island effect by providing cooling through transpiration (the process by which water moves up from the roots through the plant’s internal pathways and is released as water vapor), creating more comfortable living conditions for city residents.

Urban-Reef’s vision is to make cities more “bio-inclusive,” that is, supportive of both human and non-human life. Designers and policymakers taking a bio-inclusive approach would consider how their decisions affect wildlife and people, being mindful that our well-being is interconnected. When a diverse range of species thrive, humans benefit by living in a more stable and resilient ecosystem with natural climate regulation, pollination, pest-control, and increased mental health benefits.\*\*\*

The people at Urban Reef are not the only ones leveraging technology to build habitats that support biodiversity. Many organizations use 3D printing in their efforts to restore [coral reefs](https://www.earthhero.org/act/394-adopt-coral-fragments). For example, [SECORE International ](https://www.secore.org/site/home.html)creates what they call “seeding units”, which are 3D-printed foundations that provide stable surfaces for coral larvae to settle on. The seeding units are placed inside of incubators with coral larvae. Once the larvae settle onto the seeding units, they are gradually transferred to an outdoor aquarium and eventually to the ocean. These seeding units do not need to be installed in the ocean by hand which saves a lot of human labor and cost.\*\*\*\* Instead, they are sprinkled over natural reefs where they land and hook into existing crevices. 

Healthy coral benefits nearby cities and towns by improving water quality, preventing erosion and absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Reefs offer habitat for a wide range of species making coastal cities more attractive for anyone who enjoys snorkeling and diving. Sustainable fisheries supported by healthy reefs provide locals with a source of food and economic opportunities.

Other cities are using different methods to achieve more bio-inclusivity. Portland, Oregon restored a single block using a natural spring and native plants to be more like the landscape that existed before the city, while New York City repurposed a railway line to become a narrow walking park, and Ohio made more space for native plants and animals on the Scioto River.

**Rolling Back the Concrete**

Tanner Springs Park in Portland offers a glimpse into the natural history of the area. This block-sized natural oasis is inspired by the landscape as it existed before the city was built, while also including pathways and benches for visitors to enjoy. The park features native plants and a natural wetland area, offering a sanctuary where wildlife in the heart of the city can access water. Residents can experience close encounters with nature without leaving their neighborhood. Tanner Springs Park is cared for by local volunteers who tend to the plants and make efforts to control and remove invasive species. 

**From Rails to Trails**

The High Line Park in Manhattan was built on a disused elevated railway track, and features diverse plant species creating a green corridor that weaves between the brick buildings and loft apartments of the West Side. The park provides habitat and connectivity for birds, insects, and other wildlife, while also offering recreational space for residents and visitors. The High Line can be seen as a model for transforming neglected urban infrastructure into vibrant green spaces.

**A Buffer Zone Between Land and Water**

The Scioto Mile project in Columbus, Ohio added 5.4 acres of “riparian” (or waterfront) habitat, equivalent to four football fields, creating a lush corridor along the water's edge. The riparian edge serves as a natural buffer between the river and urban development. Widening this area and increasing the diversity of native plants provided habitat for wildlife, improved water quality through natural filtration processes, and offered recreational opportunities for the community.\*\*\*\*\*

**Bring Bio-inclusivity to Your Neighborhood**

In order to preserve biodiversity and make our communities as resilient as possible in the face of climate change, we will need to innovate more unique ways to include nature in urban spaces. Here’s how to get started:

**1. Get Involved Locally:** Participate in biodiversity projects or support similar initiatives in your area. [Encourage local governments](https://www.earthhero.org/act/180-write-your-representatives/) to incorporate green infrastructure and biodiversity-friendly policies into urban planning by [commenting on regulations and policies](https://www.earthhero.org/act/197-comment-on-government-regulation). Help [elect climate leaders](https://www.earthhero.org/act/808-help-elect-key-climate-leaders). 

**2. Volunteer:** Join organizations working on urban greening, wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and [building climate resilience](https://www.earthhero.org/act/233-join-a-climate-action-group). Get involved in [community science](https://www.earthhero.org/articles/embrace-nature--apps-for-connecting-with-the-great-outdoors).

**3. Advocate for better planning**: Work with others to influence city planners and how they design your area and the projects they focus on. Push for more green spaces and places that people can enjoy, which will naturally support biodiversity.

**4. Plant Native Species:** Contribute to urban biodiversity by planting native species [in your yard](https://www.earthhero.org/act/405-plant-a-pollinator-friendly-garden) or a [community garden](https://www.earthhero.org/act/474-start-or-join-a-community-garden). Turn life-less concrete or unnatural spaces into green ones where you can.

**5. Attend Workshops:** Take part in educational programs in your area or [facilitate a workshop](https://www.earthhero.org/act/682-engage-in-climate-change-education) yourself.

**6. Support Sustainable Materials:** Advocate for the use of biodegradable and recycled materials in urban planning.

Providing critical habitats for wildlife also enhances the quality of life for urban residents. By embracing bio-inclusive approaches and engaging local communities in conservation efforts, cities worldwide can continue moving towards more sustainable urban environments that benefit both people and the planet.

**Additional sources:**

\*Holland.com. (n.d.). Urban Reef. Retrieved July 13, 2024, from[ https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/get-inspired/bring-yourself/urban-reef-1](https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/get-inspired/bring-yourself/urban-reef-1)

\*\* Urban Reef. (n.d.). Blog. Retrieved July 13, 2024, from[ https://www.urbanreef.nl/blog](https://www.urbanreef.nl/blog)

\*\*\*National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). The importance of greenspace for mental health. _Scientific Reports, 13_, 12571. Retrieved from[ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5663018/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5663018/)

\*\*\*\*Nature Publishing Group. (2017). Seeding units: A novel approach to coral reef restoration using 3D-printed settlement substrates. _Scientific Reports, 7_, Article 17555.[ https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-17555-z](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-17555-z)

\*\*\*\*\*Landscape Architecture Foundation. (n.d.). Scioto Mile and Greenways. Retrieved July 13, 2024, from[ https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/scioto-mile-and-greenways](https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/scioto-mile-and-greenways)



Embracing Biodiversity Fosters Climate Resilient Cities

Roads and [railways](https://www.earthhero.org/act/13-take-train-or-bus-instead-of-plane) empower human mobility, but they also divide natural landscapes making it difficult for wild animals to move freely in search of food, water, shelter, and mates. Migratory species travel long distances seasonally for survival, and even species that do not migrate often need wide ranges to thrive. Shifts in habitats and food supply caused by climate change make it even more important for animals to access different environments. Wildlife crossings provide safe paths for animals to navigate a landscape increasingly altered by humans.

Green bridges are built over roads and highways and designed to look like the natural landscape. They are often covered with soil and native plants to encourage animals to use them. The Netherlands has constructed over 600 wildlife crossings\*. For example, the Natuurbrug Zanderij Crailoo is a green bridge that people can [walk](https://www.earthhero.org/act/552-within-walking-distancequest-walk!) and [bike](https://www.earthhero.org/act/8-bike-instead-of-drive) across which also helps animals like deer and badgers move safely between sections of a nature reserve. Connecting otherwise separated populations of animals allows those animals to maintain a healthy population.

Australia has another kind of wildlife bridge that caters to the annual migration of millions of red crabs in Christmas Island National Park. These crabs travel from the forest to the beach annually to dig burrows for mating. Crab bridges assist them in crossing roads safely. Barriers are strategically placed along the crabs' natural paths to direct them towards the bridges, making their migration safer from vehicles.

Wildlife crossings can also be underground. The Henry Street amphibian tunnel in Massachusetts provides a safe passage under the street allowing salamanders to reach their breeding area. Before this tunnel was built, local volunteers carried the salamanders across the road in buckets. The volunteers helped the salamanders maintain a large breeding population until the amphibian tunnel was constructed.

When animals can select from a larger pool of mates, their offspring have greater genetic diversity. That diversity increases the chances that some individuals will have genes resistant to certain diseases or environmental stresses, helping maintain the overall health of a species. This allows populations to respond to changes, such as shifting climate and new diseases, keeping species robust and adaptable. A diverse gene pool also reduces the risk of genetic disorders caused by inbreeding.

The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Las Angeles California aims to be the largest wildlife crossing in the world when completed in 2026. This overpass will help mountain lions, deer, and smaller animals like bats and lizards move safely across the 101 Freeway. The project was inspired by a mountain lion named P-22 who garnered media attention by crossing 10 lanes of traffic on one of LA’s largest freeways. People were moved by the story of this creature whose range was so fragmented compared to his ancestors, and he became a local celebrity. Unfortunately, an injury from a collision led to his untimely passing. P-22’s story highlighted the need for safe wildlife passages and motivated the community to begin thinking of wild animals as their neighbors and [donate](https://www.earthhero.org/act/659-donate-to-an-environmental-cause) to the Wildlife Crossing project.

Keeping wild animals off the road is also safer and more cost-effective. The US Department of Agriculture estimated that wildlife collisions in the United States result in 26,000 human injuries and 200 human deaths costing Americans $8 billion per year\*\*.

**HOW WE ALL CAN HELP**
Support initiatives that will address the need for animals to cross roads. This will reduce collisions by lowering the chances of encountering an animal while [driving](https://www.earthhero.org/act/20-drive-more-efficiently). Slowing down when driving through wildlife crossing zones also lowers the risk of accidents.

We can also be wary of building new roads, especially because cars and roads take up so much space while cutting up our wilderness areas. Especially because [adding more lanes and roads does not improve traffic conditions](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/07/why-traffic-cant-be-solved-with-just-adding-more-highway-lanes.html). Plus it wastes our taxpayer money.

Another way to help wildlife move safely in your region is to support projects like the [Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing](https://101wildlifecrossing.org/supporters/). Community donations play a significant role in building and maintaining these connective pathways. One of the most important steps you can take is to advocate for policies that protect animals and request that wildlife crossings be included in local transportation planning. An easy way to start is by following conservation-focused groups from your country on social media. Often these organizations update their audience about pending laws and suggest opportunities to [reach out to lawmakers](https://www.earthhero.org/act/180-write-your-representatives/) or [comment on government regulation](https://www.earthhero.org/act/197-comment-on-government-regulation).

Wildlife crossings benefit both animals and humans by promoting safety, preserving biodiversity, and enhancing genetic diversity. By embracing these structures in your area, you can help ensure a healthier, more connected natural world for future generations.

\*“Wildlife Crossings.” [nationalgeographic.org](http://nationalgeographic.org), Accessed 22 June, 2024, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/wildlife-crossings/

\*\*“Highway Crossing Structures for Wildlife: Opportunities for Improving Driver and Animal Safety.” [Fs.usda.gov](http://fs.usda.gov), Accessed 22 June, 2024, https://www.fs.usda.gov/psw/publications/documents/psw\_gtr271/psw\_gtr271.pdf


The Road to Reconnection: Wildlife Crossings Address Habitat Fragmentation

Do you ever wonder about the trees on your street or the birds you hear singing in their branches? Thanks to iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID, exploring the fascinating world of animals, insects, and plants has never been easier. 

These apps simplify the process of identifying wildlife and greenery. Even better, by using these apps to identify species you also play a part in biodiversity monitoring.

**iNaturalist: Become a Community Scientist**

[iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/) is a free app that identifies a wide range of living things, from plants and trees, to animals, insects, and [fungi](https://www.earthhero.org/act/757-learn-about-and-support-fungi). Whether it is a mysterious flower you noticed while [walking](https://www.earthhero.org/act/552-within-walking-distancequest-walk!) past a neighbor's [yard](https://www.earthhero.org/act/157-replace-your-grass-lawn) or an unknown bird you spotted in the park, iNaturalist can help. Snap a photo of the organism you want to identify and upload it along with where you found it. The app suggests up to ten possibilities for identification. 

Once you have picked the best match, it’s time to wait for other community members to confirm it. When two members agree on an identification, your observation becomes “research-grade” and gets added to a database used by scientists to track species. Even if your observation doesn't quite reach "research-grade," it can still be helpful for scientific research.

By taking pictures of plants and animals and noting where they were found, iNaturalist users become part of a vast group of community scientists. Apart from identifying species, the photos you upload can also show when flowers bloom, birds migrate, or animals breed. This information is important for understanding how climate change affects the environment, giving insights into shifts in the quality of habitats and other biodiversity trends. 

iNaturalist also provides a map feature that shows what species others identified in your area. This may be especially helpful for focusing on the abundance of nature rather than on [bad news](https://www.earthhero.org/act/861-take-a-break-from-bad-news). 

**Merlin Bird ID: Simplifying Bird Identification**

[Merlin](https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/) is an app designed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to help beginners identify birds. It asks a series of questions—such as location, date, size, color, and behavior—that experts use to identify birds. Based on your answers Merlin offers recommendations from its extensive database about what bird you might have sighted.

Bird identification is sometimes complex, but Merlin provides quick access to information. If you hear a bird but can’t see it well, Merlin can help with that too. Simply turn on sound recording and if the app recognizes the bird's call, it identifies the bird. 

While Merlin is great for recognizing birds it sometimes needs users to double-check its findings, especially in noisy areas. For instance, if there's a lot of traffic near a park, it might cause Merlin to misidentify a bird. Confirming these recordings with a visual check helps make sure the information is accurate.

As users answer questions and record songs and calls, they learn about birds while acting for climate. Observing changes in bird populations and behaviors, using Merlin and similar bird ID apps, provides key information about how the environment is transforming due to climate change. Birds are very sensitive to shifts in their surroundings, making them great indicators of ecosystem health and climate change effects. 

Merlin also integrates seamlessly with [eBird](https://ebird.org/about/ebird-mobile/), another Cornell Lab project, allowing users to upload their observations to a global database that aids in bird conservation and research. eBird collects millions of bird observations worldwide, providing comprehensive data that helps scientists track bird migration patterns, population changes, and ecological trends over time.

**Celebrating Urban Biodiversity**

iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID are powerful tools for appreciating and conserving urban biodiversity. By using apps such as these, people around the world can add meaningful encounters with nature to their daily routines. From finding insects in a [community garden](https://www.earthhero.org/act/474-start-or-join-a-community-garden) to recording bird sightings, every observation contributes to a better understanding of urban ecosystems and strengthens the ability to respond to climate change.


Embrace Nature: Apps for Connecting with the Great Outdoors

When was the last time you saw a butterfly? Not just a quick glimpse, but a real moment where you watched its colorful wings fluttering in the air. It's a question worth asking, because the fact that we see fewer and fewer butterflies tells us something is wrong with our world.

Since the 1970s, a lot of butterfly species have been disappearing. For instance, one famous butterfly, the monarch, is in big trouble. It used to be a symbol of nature across the globe but now it's struggling to survive because its homes are being destroyed and it's getting hotter. In just ten years, its numbers have dropped a lot, for instance, a report by the Centre for Biological Diversity revealed that over the past two decades, monarch butterflies have declined by 90% since the 1990s.

To further corroborate this, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2021, classified the migratory monarch butterfly as endangered and added it to the Red List of Threatened Species. The IUCN's declaration of the monarch as endangered serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need for action to safeguard these iconic butterflies. When experts say the monarch is in danger, it's like a big warning bell ringing. This tells us we need to act fast to save these beautiful creatures. It's not just monarchs in trouble; other insects are also struggling because of bigger problems with the environment.

The decline in butterfly populations is attributed to several interconnected factors. One, as we know, is climate change. As temperatures rise and weather patterns change, primarily due to burning oil and gas, it affects the places where butterflies live, find food, and reproduce. This is especially tough on migrating butterflies like the monarch. In some places, it gets too hot and dry, making it hard for butterflies to survive.  This crisis might be our last chance to save some of the world's favorite butterfly species. But even though we know how important it is, some governments still haven't done enough to protect them and phase out oil and gas faster.

Human encroachment is also to blame. We are cutting down forests, building cities, and expanding farms, which harms butterfly habitats or destroys them altogether. Butterflies need specific places to live, lay eggs, and eat, so losing these habitats hurts their populations. When we upset the balance of nature by destroying habitats and changing the climate, it affects the variety of plants and animals in an area. Butterflies depend on a variety of plants for food and shelter, so when we reduce the number of plant species, it hurts butterfly numbers too.

The chemicals we use to kill pests and weeds also harm butterflies. They kill the plants their babies need to eat. For example, using weed killers can wipe out milkweed, which monarch caterpillars rely on for food. We therefore need to embrace sustainable farming practices by reducing reliance on harmful pesticides and herbicides. 

Invasive Species are also a threat. When non-native plants take over an area, they can crowd out the plants that butterflies need to survive. This disrupts their homes and makes it harder for them to find food and shelter.

The monarch's struggle shows us a bigger problem of the broader challenges facing biodiversity worldwide. Losing so many plants and animals could threaten the services that ecosystems provide to humanity, such as clean air and water, fertile soil, and climate regulation.

But there's some hope. To tackle the decline of butterflies, we all need to take action on multiple fronts. We can help the monarchs by planting more of the plants they need to survive (see these Actions: [Plant milkweed](https://www.earthhero.org/act/455-plant-native-milkweed), [Plant a pollinator friendly garden](https://www.earthhero.org/act/405-plant-a-pollinator-friendly-garden) and [Start or join a community garden](https://www.earthhero.org/act/474-start-or-join-a-community-garden)). For instance, native plants such as milkweed, lavender, coneflowers, and other butterfly-friendly species can provide essential food and habitat for butterfly larvae and adults so we do not end up being the last ones lucky enough to enjoy their beauty.

Also, cutting down on greenhouse gasses, using land in sustainable ways, and spreading awareness about why butterflies are important in our ecosystems. By working together, we can help ensure that these beautiful insects stick around for generations to come.


The Missing Butterflies: A Silent Alarm for Our Future

Climate change is real and so is climate distress.

The condition is exactly what it sounds like – distress over climate change. It encompasses two related terms that are perhaps used more frequently: climate anxiety and climate grief, according to New Hampshire psychiatrist Dr. Robert Feder, a member of the steering committee of the [Climate Psychiatry Alliance](https://www.climatepsychiatry.org/).

“Climate anxiety refers to concern and worry about things that could happen in the future. Things that people are worrying about that are going to happen due to climate change,” said Feder. “And climate grief refers to grief and despair and feelings of loss over things that have happened. Losses that have already occurred in the environment due to climate change.”

The symptoms are also somewhat distinct, he noted. Similar to other forms of anxiety, climate anxiety can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate, or difficulty falling asleep. The symptoms of climate grief are more like those of depression, including lack of energy or appetite, difficulty concentrating, or feelings of pessimism.

“If you’re really experiencing climate anxiety or climate grief, you know it,” Feder said.

Recognition of these specific conditions is relatively new. The term “climate grief” is largely attributed to researchers Ashlee Cunsolo and Neville Ellis in a 2018 paper published in the journal _Nature Climate Change_: [“Ecological grief as a mental health response to climate change-related loss.”](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-018-0092-2)

“We argue that grief is a natural and legitimate response to ecological loss, and one that may become more common as climate impacts worsen,” the authors wrote.

Polling in the United States suggests these conditions are already common. Sixty-eight percent of adult respondents to a [December 2019 poll for the American Psychological Association](https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/02/climate-change) (APA) cited having some level of “eco-anxiety”. Among adults age 18-34, 47% reported that their lives on a day-to-day basis were impacted by climate change-related stress.

As the concept of climate grief is so new, much about it remains unknown, according to [a 2020 article from the APA](https://www.apa.org/members/content/climate-grief). Part of that is because it is not connected to a fixed point in time, in the way people grieve the loss of a loved one.

“Climate grief is different from the grief we experience in other circumstances. First, climate grief is usually more ambiguous. Uncertainties, such as not knowing specific impacts and when those impacts might occur, make it hard for us to emotionally tolerate a situation,” ecopsychology researcher Shawna Weaver, Ph.D. author of the book _Climate Grief: From Coping to Resilience and Action_, told Earth Hero. “Because climate change comes with a lot of ambiguity, it causes even more anxiety and a difficult path through the grief process, and also makes it easier for people to deny it (which is the first stage of grief),” she added.

There is also no “norm” to return to from climate grief, Weaver said. The changes to the planet, ultimately, impact all people.

Among those who may be at greatest risk for suffering from this form of grief, the APA article says: children and teens, who will live with the effects of climate change for decades; climate activists and scientists, whose daily lives are intertwined with the crisis; and people who work closely with the land and are more likely to notice negatives changes happening. Feder also noted climate refugees, who have personally experienced a climate disaster.

How, then, to face climate distress?

Weaver and Feder discussed similar approaches: focusing on relaxing, using techniques such as meditation; going into nature; exercise; maintaining social and familial connections; and particularly taking some form of action on the climate crisis.

“We increase our dopamine and endorphins by taking action, creating community, building on successes, accomplishing tasks, and moving our bodies,” Weaver said. “If you are experiencing climate grief or anxiety, find a local cause directly related to that anxiety, and get involved. It won't just help you emotionally, it will move the dial on the very source of that pain.”

On his [Climate & Mind](https://www.climateandmind.org/) website, Seattle psychotherapist Andrew Bryant discusses the value of therapy for people suffering climate grief, particularly providers who specialize in climate-related mental health issues. He acknowledges that the number of these therapists remains limited; the Climate Psychology Alliance North America maintains a directory of [”climate-aware” therapists](https://www.climatepsychology.us/climate-therapists).

While stating that there is no firm data, Feder guessed that the percentage of people suffering from climate distress who need professional mental help could be about 10%. That would be at the level where the condition is causing them to isolate from friends and family and impeding their ability to work, he said.

The Climate Psychiatry Alliance advocates for greater awareness of issues related to climate change in the mental health community, including by partnering with the Climate Psychology Alliance North America on a program to train psychotherapists to become [climate-aware therapists](https://www.climatepsychiatry.org/register-as-a-climate-aware-therapist). The organizations also hope this type of training will eventually be incorporated into all psychiatry residency training programs, Feder said.

However, there will never be enough mental health professionals to help everyone suffering from climate distress, he added. One alternative approach being developed is “transformational resilience”.

“This is really a public-health type of approach to the problem, where entire communities are treated in a proactive, preventative type of way, where they hopefully can get education about resiliency methods, prepare for what they can do or what to expect in their particular community about climate problems or disasters, and build up their own cognitive abilities and social abilities to be able to deal with these issues so they can prevent the more severe forms of climate anxiety and grief before they happen,” he said.

Legislation was introduced last year in the [Senate](https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1452) and [House of Representatives](https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3073/titles) to strengthen these programs, including by competitive grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both versions of the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act remain in committee.

Looking to get involved? Earth Hero encourages [actions](https://www.earthhero.org/act) to help fight the climate crisis, including through individual and group [advocacy](https://www.earthhero.org/act/category/advocacy-and-choice). A simple action related to [getting outside](https://www.earthhero.org/act/category/outside) could be a great place to start.


Facing the Mental Toll of Climate Change

[Earth Hour](https://www.earthhour.org/) is an annual reminder about the responsibility we all share towards the environment. It’s a day - celebrated on March 23 this year - that advocates the benefits of conserving energy (all year - not just for one day). It promotes and encourages us as individuals, or as part of a community, to switch off non-essential lights for one hour as a symbolic gesture of support for conservation. It is not only about turning off lights; it is a good opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness about eco-friendly living.

Of course, holding an important cause close to your heart and making it count in your day-to-day life is easier said than done. While it’s possible to enjoy the activities and sports you love, and to commit to tackling climate change, routinely doing so can take some real effort. It might take a dedicated event or a collective campaign to motivate any of us to [start leading a more sustainable lifestyle](https://www.earthhero.org/en_GB/articles/30-easy-ways-to-kickoff-a-sustainable-lifestyle).

But simple tweaks to your activities or hobbies can make a big difference, and there are many ways to make conserving energy and adopting eco-friendly habits part of your everyday life.

## Reflect on Energy Consumption

Collective actions can have profound implications for the health of the planet, so it's important to integrate sustainability into your daily routine. Reports suggest that more people than ever want to live more sustainably, recognizing that change begins with them, and that their [small, everyday habits can address](https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/are-americans-actually-supporting-sustainability) climate concerns. You can also be sustainable with new hobbies you take up, doing housework or when exercising. Your everyday choices can have a significant impact on safeguarding the environment. 

## Play Sustainable Sports

Engaging in sports and physical activities can benefit your health and be an excellent opportunity to incorporate sustainable practices into your weekly workout. If you love exercising, you can learn how to build sustainability by playing sports, practicing, or traveling to watch games. As well as benefiting your own health and well-being, you’re securing an important role in the fight against climate change. 

Sports and physical activities present an excellent opportunity to conserve energy, whether golfing, cycling, or swimming. For instance, opting to [practice golf with indoor equipment](https://www.golfswingsystems.co.uk/shop/golf-practice-aids/) rather than traveling to a golf range or club, reduces a golfer's carbon footprint. Similarly, choosing to walk when on the golf course, rather than using a golf cart, allows players to appreciate the natural surroundings and helps minimize carbon emissions.

Opting for outdoor activities in daylight hours allows the opportunity to exercise under your own steam. Make the simple choice to run outside rather than on a high-tech treadmill, or explore low-impact exercises that require minimal energy consumption, such as yoga or bodyweight workouts. If you prefer to swim, there are still relevant opportunities to conserve energy and promote sustainability. Swim in outdoor pools or natural bodies of water, use solar-powered mats to heat outdoor pools, or swim in colder water, avoiding the need to heat a pool all year. You can also invest in sustainable swimwear, sports gear, and accessories such as refillable bottles.

## Promote an Eco-Friendly and Active Lifestyle

You can also embrace eco-friendly activities that align with your interests. If you love cooking, baking, and entertaining friends by sharing your latest culinary delights, try hosting a candlelit dinner with local ingredients. You might invite friends over for a traditional board game to get everyone off their screens. 

Saving [energy](https://www.energysage.com/energy-efficiency/ways-to-save-energy/) at home is not a sacrifice and can leave you with more cash. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), making simple energy-efficiency upgrades in your home, such as replacing light bulbs, can make a difference. Making such an energy-saving switch is a valuable habit to adopt. Installing smart thermostats, buying efficient appliances, and replacing your HVAC systems, can [save up to 30% on your energy bills](https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/energy-saver-101-infographic-home-energy-audits). 

## Be Mindful at Home, Work and on Your Travels

Participating in Earth Hour from the comfort of home offers an opportunity to reflect on our energy consumption habits and implement sustainable practices in our day-to-day lives. You can start with a mini energy audit to determine how you use energy in your house. 

If you [work from home](https://www.earthhero.org/en_GB/articles/going-green-with-your-paperwork--tips-for-the-remote-office), try to be paperless and avoid printing pointlessly. You can identify areas across your home, indoors and outside, where you and your family’s electricity usage can be minimized. Simple measures, such as switching to energy-efficient appliances, using natural light whenever possible, and unplugging electronic devices when not in use, can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

If you travel or commute to work every day, try to do so in a way that saves energy. You can [choose to walk or cycle](https://www.earthhero.org/en_GB/articles/use-your-feet-and-bicycles-to-help-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions) rather than drive yourself to work or the shops. Likewise, If you aren’t in a rush and can afford to do so, use public transportation, or organize a car share. Cycling is a great sustainable alternative and can be a healthy commute method. When you travel long distances, be mindful of your transport choices. Why not explore new countries on a [cycling tour](https://www.guidester.com/europe-bike-tour/) to reduce your carbon pollution?
## 
## Respect Sustainability

Understanding the significance of conserving electricity and embracing sustainability in our daily routines is paramount in addressing environmental challenges. Excessive energy consumption contributes to carbon emissions, depletes finite natural resources, and exacerbates climate change. By adopting eco-friendly habits, individuals can mitigate their environmental impact and contribute to building a more sustainable future for generations.

This year’s Earth Hour is a timely reminder of the need to prioritize environmental conservation and embrace sustainable living practices. By incorporating eco-friendly initiatives across our daily activities and routines, there are countless opportunities to celebrate Earth Hour while championing the environment.


Celebrating Earth Hour: Making the Cause Count in Your Day-To-Day Life

Acts of nonviolent civil disobedience can change a nation, the world, and history. The examples are numerous and consequential, from the Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi in India to the Montgomery Bus Boycott of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement.

With powerful institutional interests opposed to weaning nations off reliance on fossil fuels because of money-making motives, civil disobedience has become a tool for activists who are forcibly and peaceably demanding stronger measures to curb the climate crisis.

“Nonviolent direct action (NVDA) is a crucial strategy in the fight for climate and social justice because it disrupts business as usual, shifts the spectrum for what people believe is possible, and returns power to the people,” said Reilly Polka, spokesperson for the Washington, D.C., branch of the Extinction Rebellion movement. “Simply asking for those in power to prioritize people over profit doesn’t work, so we turn to tactics like NVDA. NVDA puts public pressure on our institutions. It’s a way to stop the extractive economy in its tracks.”

The _Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace & Conflict_ (via [ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/civil-disobedience#:~:text=Nonviolent%20Civil%20Disobedience%3A%20A%20Definition&text=It%20is%20a%20nonviolent%20action,or%20the%20group%2C%20find%20unjust.)) defines civil disobedience as “a nonviolent action engaged in by an individual who refuses to obey the law for moral or philosophical reasons. The participants in civil disobedience willfully and openly refuse to comply with a law in order to dramatize the issue that they, or the group, find unjust.”

These actions have long been part of the environmental movement. Less than a decade ago, Native Americans from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation along the Dakotas led large-scale protests against the routing of the Dakota Access oil pipeline on nearby land that is considered sacred and provides drinking water for the region. The protests included establishing a temporary camp and, at times, individuals chaining themselves to construction equipment. (The American Bar Association has an in-depth explainer [here](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/gpsolo/publications/gp_solo/2018/may-june/standing-rock-case-study-civil-disobedience/).)

Actions by climate activists have taken many forms, as reported by [Vox](https://www.vox.com/23892818/climate-change-activism-radical-protest-civil-disobedience), from blocking entry to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York during the 2023 Climate Week to dyeing the water of the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Perhaps most famously, activists have defaced and even glued themselves to famous art pieces, including Johannes Vermeer’s _Girl with a Pearl Earring_.

Direct action has multiple effects, Polka said: claiming power for the people against powerful organizations, raising awareness for the climate crisis, disrupting “business as usual,” and re-centering the [Overton Window](https://www.mackinac.org/OvertonWindow) – the model for policies that have sufficient public support that political will pursue them.

“Something we have also heard from people who end up getting involved in XR is they were looking for ways to take action that matched their levels of climate anxiety,” Polka said. “We have found that NVDA, as a more escalated protest strategy, can be a really supportive way of taking action for those feeling intense climate anxiety.”

Extinction Rebellion DC highlights a steady stream of actions, including multiple actions to disrupt the 2023 American Gas Forum in the nation’s capital in opposition to messaging about natural gas as a transition fuel for a clean energy future.

Polka pointed to the organization’s [Electrify DC campaign](https://www.xrdc.org/gas) as a program with the potential to generate lasting change. The campaign aims to stop the local utility, Washington Gas, from spending billions of dollars on new methane gas infrastructure. The organization scored a win in February when 11 District of Columbia Council members issued a letter calling on the DC Public Service Commission to deny approval for the project.

 “This was a victory that XR’s NVDA played a role in making happen,” Polka said. “We pushed the issue onto the Council’s radar many times, from dropping off our demands to disrupting Council meetings to chaining ourselves to the doors of the DC Council building. When they wouldn’t take action, we took matters into our own hands to protect DC residents and shut down a Project Pipes construction site ourselves.”

Activists who undertake civil disobedience can be clear-eyed about the importance of such actions and the potential consequences.

In a [January 2023 commentary](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/10/opinion/scientist-fired-climate-change-activism.html?searchResultPosition=1) for _The New York Times_, earth scientist Rose Abramoff said she joined actions by the organization Science Rebellion after years as a “well-behaved scientist” researching issues of climate change. At a December 2022 meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), Abramoff joined climate scientist and Earth Hero co-founder Peter Kalmus in briefly pre-empting one session by hoisting a banner with the message “Out of the lab & into the streets.” The two scientists were ejected from the meeting and their research for the event was pulled. Shortly afterward, Abramoff was fired from her position as an associate scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. 

Abramoff was not deterred. She said she participated in numerous protests in 2023 against fossil fuel financing and infrastructure, and was arrested four times – with charges later dropped or resulting in small fines or community service. She has continued her research at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California and the Ronin Institute, and she and Kalmus attended the AGU’S Fall 2023 meeting.

“After the accelerating climate impacts that we saw this past summer, I am more convinced than ever that collective action is the best use of my time, and is probably the best use of most people's time,” she said.

Interested in getting involved? Numerous organizations in the United States and abroad conduct nonviolent disobedience on climate issues, including Climate Defiance, Declare Emergency, Third Act, and others, Polka noted. Extinction Rebellion DC offers [trainings and other opportunities](https://www.xrdc.org/join) for volunteers. Consider exploring the [Earth Hero Climate Action Group Finder](https://www.earthhero.org/activism-groups) to discover a group that aligns with your interests and passion for environmental preservation.

Whatever approach is right for you, it is crucial to act. Earth Hero also offers a broad range of [actions](https://www.earthhero.org/act) at the individual and group level that can help address climate change, including joining climate rallies or organizations and other acts of [advocacy](https://www.earthhero.org/act/category/advocacy-and-choice).


Step Out of Line Against Climate Change

Alongside climate change, we are witnessing what Elizabeth Kolbert refers to as [the sixth mass extinction event](https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-sixth-extinction-an-unnatural-history-elizabeth-kolbert/8424309?ean=9781250062185) on Earth: insects across the planet are dying off, with one in three species listed as endangered as of 2019, and a recent report found a majority of bird species in the United States are declining in population too. Much like the climate crisis, the causes of this biodiversity crisis generally stem from human behavior. Through our actions, we all have the power to create real, lasting impact in our communities and our environments. Especially when we join together and move towards better ways of living.

One such action is growing native plants in and around your home or “rewilding” your garden, while advocating for native flora throughout your community. In this way, you can make the area around you a refuge to the birds, insects, fungi, and more in desperate need of native green spaces, while also making a more climate-resilient community for you and your neighbors. For example, you can add native wildflowers to [attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators](https://www.earthhero.org/act/405-plant-a-pollinator-friendly-garden). Native flora is also a great way to [support soil biodiversity](https://www.earthhero.org/act/548-support-soil-biodiversity). By [relinquishing some gray infrastructure back to green](https://www.earthhero.org/act/711-re-green-your-area), we can increase the space native species have access to. Planting native flora provides native fauna a distinct advantage against their own invasive rivals, as they have evolved alongside these plants and some have developed symbiotic diets and behaviors. Plus they make for more beautiful surroundings for you to enjoy!

**BECOME A REWILDING GUARDIAN**
Rewilding does not mean planting and forgetting. Humans have been managers and protectors of native habitats across the globe for generations, and we have an important role to play as we attempt to return to a more harmonious relationship with the world around us. While native plants will usually require less maintenance than an invasive species because of their natural acclimation to your area's climate, monitoring any space you’ve cultivated will be important to ensure weeds and other pests don’t encroach on the refuge you are creating. And while you are performing this maintenance, you can [switch to electric gardening tools](https://www.earthhero.org/act/395-use-electric-power-tools) to reduce your climate pollution! By acting as a manager and a guardian of a native garden, you will grow closer to your own habitat, and you will have the opportunity to witness native plants and any animal visitors they attract as the seasons and weather change.

An added benefit to a native green space is that the plants are accustomed to your area’s natural climate. This means areas prone to heavy rainfall will have natives that thrive on mass amounts of water and can act as stormwater retention solutions and help to mitigate flooding, while areas prone to drought will have native species that need little water to grow.

**FINDING AND PURCHASING NATIVE FLORA**
Despite their many benefits, native flora can be hard to find at big box retailers. It’s best to look for a local plant nursery, many of whom specialize in native plants and would be able to assist in planning any projects to ensure the right plants are put in the right places. Pop up sales in the spring and fall of local plants are common in some areas and can be found online or by asking around. Local landscapers can also be a great resource in planning gardens and acquiring native plants.

It’s possible, with the right know-how and care, to gather seeds and clippings from native plants near you to propagate your project. If you are going to do so, you must be mindful of foraging and clipping with respectful for the ecosystem you are harvesting from. Robin Wall Kimmerer offers great advice in this regard. A few of her suggestions for an honorable harvest are to (1) ask permission of the ones whose lives you seek and abide by the answer, (2) take only what you need and leave some for others, (3) use everything you take, and (4) share as the Earth has shared with you. For her full guide toward harvesting from the Earth, you can read her book, _[Braiding Sweetgrass](https://bookshop.org/p/books/braiding-sweetgrass-robin-wall-kimmerer/16712606?ean=9781571313560)_.

However big or small your space may be, native plants are an incredible way to exponentially increase their benefits to you, your community, and your ecosystem. Happy growing!


Make Your Yard a Refuge

Walking and bicycling are not just means of locomotion – If used in place of gas-powered vehicles at sufficient levels, these approaches for getting from place to place can contribute to global reductions in the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are driving climate change.

Advocates around the world are working to make their communities more friendly to pedestrians and bicyclists, building on decades of similar efforts. Many of these groups are eager for volunteers to join their campaigns.

“Given that transportation is the leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, reducing emissions from transportation is an essential part of fighting climate change,” said Ted Villaire, communications director for the Chicago-area advocacy group the Active Transportation Alliance. “With more than half of all trips in the US under three miles, there are enormous opportunities for more people to walk or bike for many of those trips. The problem is the lack of good infrastructure for people walking and biking.”

This contribution to reducing greenhouse gasses is small but not negligible [ In a 2013 report](https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy13osti/55635.pdf), the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that improvements to promote “nonmotorized” means of transport, such as walking or biking in urban areas, could cut on-road vehicle GHG emissions by close to 1%. The nongovernmental [Congress for the New Urbanism](https://www.cnu.org/publicsquare/2021/08/31/ten-environmental-benefits-walkable-places) and others have put the concrete impact of a walkable environment at 4 tons of lower greenhouse gas emissions annually, versus a suburb that relies more on vehicles. By comparison, [according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency](https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/greenhouse-gas-emissions-typical-passenger-vehicle), just one “typical” passenger vehicle emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year.

But everything counts in an all-hands-on-deck call in the battle against climate change. And there are many additional benefits to increasing the ease of walking and bicycling to a community, Villaire said. He cited costs savings to individuals who can walk and bike more, along with advancements in environmental justice and improved community health.

Paris-based professor Carlos Moreno developed the concept of the “15-minute city” – a municipality in which most services are no more than a quarter-hour away from any location by walking, biking, or public transit. The idea has caught on, in different forms, in cities ranging from Barcelona, Spain, to Kirkland, Wash.

But this requires a community in which walking or bicycling is safe and accessible, which is not the case in many locations around the United States, particularly spread-out suburbs. So how do we get there?

The [U.S. Surgeon General](https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/physical-activity-nutrition/walking-sectors/index.html) points the way: “All Americans use roads, and most people across the country use sidewalks and live in communities that have planned how their land will be used. Transportation, land use, and community design planners have the power to increase opportunities for walking and improve the pedestrian experience by designing and maintaining communities and streets to make them safe and accessible for people of all ages and abilities.”

Along with having high-use locations such as schools and employment sites within walking distance, streets and sidewalks must be designed and managed so that they are safe and easy to use, the Office of the Surgeon General said. Many parts of the community can then promote walking: Schools, for example, can establish routes for students to safely walk from home, while employers can encourage their staff to walk through incentives such as flexible work time.

This work can take many paths, as demonstrated by the long work of the Active Transportation Alliance (ATA) and its partners in the Chicagoland region. “Repeatedly voicing your concerns with elected leaders pays off,” Villaire stated. “When leaders know that people want streets that are safe and welcoming for those who are walking and biking, leaders will listen. When leaders know that community members want public transit that is fast and reliable, leaders tend to support those initiatives.”

Within [a long list of accomplishments](https://activetrans.org/about-us/our-organization/our-accomplishments), the Active Transportation Alliance and other local groups spent decades making the case for separate paths for pedestrians and bicyclists for the Lakefront Trail along Lake Michigan in Chicago. As of 2018, what had been an 18-mile mixed-use trail was divided into an 18-mile bicycle trail and an 18.5-mile pedestrian trail. The update reduced congestion on the trail and created “a better overall park experience,” according to the Chicago Park District.

In 2021, ATA supported state legislation in Illinois that would require the state to pay the full cost of infrastructure for walking or bicycling on state roads. Previous law had forced local municipalities to pay 20% of the cost, a burden that hit low-income areas particularly hard, according to ATA. Following a public campaign in favor of the bill, with support from thousands of individuals, Illinois House Bill 270 was signed into law in August 2021.

The Active Transportation Alliance (among many like-minded groups around the United States) [is seeking volunteers](https://activetrans.org/about-us/get-involved/volunteer) to “join a community of advocates helping promote walking, biking and public transit throughout Chicagoland.”

And as your communities become more walkable and bikeable, Earth Hero can help you reduce your reliance on vehicles. Here are Earth Hero actions you can take for [biking](https://www.earthhero.org/act/8-bike-instead-of-drive) or [walking](https://www.earthhero.org/act/552-within-walking-distancequest-walk!) instead of driving.  


Use Your Feet and Bicycles to Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

**People light up the night almost without thinking, as we have for millennia. At the minimal level, we do this instinctively for our survival and protection. But the practice has grown to destructive extremes in modern societies. With a lack of understanding and appreciation for the night sky, most have failed to consider the costs and consequences of turning darkness into light. Instead, particularly in urban areas, we have come to expect and admire bright lights at night.**

What goes unseen is the extent that nighttime lighting wastes vast amounts of money and energy (typically in the form of electricity generated from burning fossil fuels), damages ecosystems, and detrimentally affects our own health. There are estimates that lighting accounts for 15 percent of global electricity consumption and 5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. It is a huge waste that comes with significant pollution and economic costs.

The good news is that awareness about light pollution is growing, along with effective solutions and success stories. Even better, because our connections to the night sky are deep and diverse, so too are the areas of opportunity, covering a wide range of topics at multiple levels to accommodate almost any interest and level of effort or ability. From simply sharing useful information on social media or changing a lightbulb, to participating in a photography contest, astronomy club, or similar community events, citizen science data collection, educational activities for any age group, or advocacy for long-term improvements to lighting infrastructure, chances are that you can readily make a valuable contribution. 

You can join an existing effort in your area, dive deep to launch a new endeavor, or anything in between! Audubon’s Lights Out program, which focuses on protecting migratory birds as they travel between summer and winter habitats, can elevate interest and serve as a jump start to broader efforts. Contributors to [The World At Night](https://twanight.org/) advance an international effort to present stunning nightscape images that bridge art, science, and culture. Events such as IDA Tokyo’s recent [Light Pollution Symposium 2022](https://idatokyo-org.translate.goog/1783/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US) are held regularly around the globe. Canada’s first Urban Night Sky Place, [parc du Mont-Bellevue](https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/unsp/parc-du-mont-bellevue-quebec), was recently certified, culminating several years of effort by multiple partners to combat light pollution. In addition to recognizing dark sky places, the [International Dark Sky Association](https://www.darksky.org/) engages and recognizes individual advocates and offers a plethora of free material to get you started. There are many resources available to inspire and enable, regardless of your interest and abilities or where you live. 

Consider the following ways to do your part.

**Save energy and money**:

• Turn off lights when not in use or use automatic sensors.

• Use efficient LED bulbs and lighting fixtures with shields that only brighten areas where needed.

**Contribute your time to building awareness and community support**:

• A great place to get started is to join up with [Globe at Night](https://www.globeatnight.org/). You can help measure night-sky brightness and contribute your data to build knowledge and inform action.

• Contribute to an existing event or coordinate a new stargazing, lights-out, or similar activity to inform and engage.

• If you are an educator, incorporate light pollution into your programming or curriculum(s).

**Advocate for broader change in your community and beyond**:

• Research and then urge your community to adopt or improve a lighting ordinance, especially for street lighting.

• Reach out to local elected official(s) or building manager(s) to build awareness and stimulate change. [Audubon's Lights Out program](https://www.audubon.org/lights-out-program) provides sample letters and other resources.

• Urge your employer or school to take a [Lights Out Pledge](https://sustainability.wustl.edu/lights-out-pledge-protects-migrating-birds/) or otherwise commit to evaluating and improving outdoor lighting. 

Above all, if you don’t already, learn to enjoy the darkness of night and make a habit of it. While humans cannot see well in the dark, many creatures depend on it.  If you can escape to a quiet natural area after dark, consider yourself lucky and take advantage of it!  Soak in the sounds and sky and observe the nightlife.

For tips, references, and additional resources on how to be involved, see Earth Hero’s [Protect the Night Action](https://www.earthhero.org/act/705-protect-the-night).


Protect the night

**The Amazon Studios documentary film Burning explores the sociopolitical, historical, and scientific causes of the harrowing Australian bushfires of 2019 and 2020, in what has become known as “Black Summer.” Directed by Academy and Emmy-award winner Eva Orner, the film opens with clips of climate change protests, smoke, fire, and a grim overview of the delicate state of the Australian bush. As the word “Burning” comes on screen, the audience is told that “the greatest tragedy of the Australian brushfire season is that we saw it coming.”**

The Australian director combines interviews with climate change activists, fire survivors, scientists, and politicians to contextualize how 59 million acres burned. Greg Mullins, the former Fire and Rescue Commissioner of New South Wales, says, “I feel like we’ve just been sleepwalking into catastrophe.” Mullins is a recurrent face and voice throughout, as is Marian Wilkinson, an author and journalist, who introduces the political sparring: “There has been a concerted effort to undermine the science of climate change.” Australia, as the largest exporter of coal and gas, has reason to undercut climate science. In August 2018, when a conservative government took power under the leadership of Prime Minister Scott Morrison (the antagonist and villain of the story), their first order of business was pushing aside the climate commission.

Mallacoota resident Jann Gilbert, a fire victim who lost her house, says, “I did not predict how brutal the fires were going to be as the summer went on. It rocked Australia to the core.” Images of the 200-foot flames blaze across the screen, along with newspaper headlines, photos of destruction, and satellite images of the smoke spreading across the continent. Foreboding music amplifies anxiety. “The biggest red flag went up when the rainforest was burning,” says Gilbert. “Those forests have never burned.”

There are moments when the film overdramatizes. The accounts themselves are powerful, as are the images and facts. But it is, unfortunately, a narrative about the horrors of climate change and the political forces at bay that has been told before. Orner’s major struggle is battling against a jaded and desensitized viewer.

The film shifts to firefighters and news reports. Thousands of tourists become trapped on a beach as the fire encircles them. Brian Ayliffe, who has been fighting fires for 60 years, says, “They attacked it with bombers, large air tankers. It didn’t matter what they did; [the fire] worked its way down the coast.” All of this unfolds as the Prime Minister vacations with his family in Hawaii. Orner emphasizes this by displaying Morrison’s family vacation photos. This, the viewer is reminded, is a political story. There is a face to blame.

The viewer is reminded, as ecologist Mark Graham says, that “we’re bearing direct witness to so many processes of change playing out around us. We’re essentially right in the middle of this stretch of some of the oldest forest on the planet, unchanged for tens of millions of years. Through continents splitting apart, asteroids hitting the earth, those trees have been like an ark through time and space…The fires of Black Summer burned into these ancient refuges.”

The residual trauma from the fires is apparent. The wind is a reminder to many victims: “You could hear it,” says one survivor. “It was like a dragon.” The soot came ahead of the fire in Mallacoota, which turned a morning sky black. Camera phone footage at 9:13 a.m. shows total darkness before the sky transforms into an intense red. “It was like being on a plane that was going down,” says another survivor. “The roar and the noise of it was horrendous. I just called it a vicious monster.” The psychological damage becomes clearer as Michael Harrington, from Cobargo, discusses flashbacks. Birds drop dead from the sky. Insidious smoke invades Sydney for months. New Year’s is celebrated while the Cobargo burns. Roads are littered with dead kangaroos. It looked “like a nuclear bomb has gone off.” Pregnant women had “grey, crumbly, disgusting placenta” from constant smoke inhalation. One woman says, “This origin of life is this canary in the coal mine.”

The film pans out again, emphasizing the scale of the fires, which formed their own weather systems as smoke columns went 10 to 12 kilometers into the atmosphere. The fires created their own thunderstorms, sending fire-starting embers up to 30 kilometers away. The audience is told that 21 percent of the Australian bush burned: “we’ve entered a new era.” The fires burned more than 10 times more than they had ever burned before. Driving through New South Wales for hundreds of miles, all you see is blackened earth—“like walking out into the apocalypse.” Prime Minister Morrison goes to Cobargo and starts taking selfies, smiling, until a local yells, “You’re not welcome you fuckwit!”

Just when the trauma, pain, and destruction begin to anesthetize the viewer, Orner changes the chorus by offering a glimmer of hope. Australians take to the street and demand change—the sentiment embodied in the young activist Daisy Jeffrey. As COVID hit, Australia declared a pandemic 12 days before world health organization. The right-leaning government seemed to become socialist overnight. There was hope that actions might be taken on climate change. Instead, Morrison spoke about a gas-led recovery.

Daisy Jeffrey’s story is a story of national change: her grandfather was a coalminer in a family of coalminers. The myth of a reliance on fossil fuels is challenged by her, and by tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, who describes climate change as “the existential crisis of the human race.” Cannon-Brookes is attempting to build the world’s largest solar farm in Australia and then export that renewable energy through a network of cables from Australia to Asia.

At the end, Greg Mullins comes back into view: “We’re having fires in Greenland, the Arctic Circle—places where we never had them before,” he says. “Climate change scares the shit out of me…We need to learn together again how to really manage this land at that very large scale. This is the critical moment for humanity.” The film ends familiarly: a black screen before the credits is the backdrop for the following in white lettering: “Prime Minister Scott Morrison declined to be interviewed for this film.”


Outside

Protect nature, biodiversity, and public spaces while deepening your connection to the outdoors.