One With Nature: Why Intergenerational Trauma Is Important to Address With Climate Change
This op-ed was started during my pre-college course “Climate Change, Disasters, and Recovery: Introduction to Community Planning for Resilience” at Columbia University School of Professional Studies. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of Josh DeVincenzo, M.Ed. for his inspiration, expertise, guidance and support.
Photography: John Gomez via Shutterstock
The climate crisis is a child’s rights issue. Within this intergenerational reality is where the well-being of future generations depends upon what actions we make today. As global warming and climate change worsen, so do numerous extreme events, such as heat waves, mudslides, droughts, wildfires, and flooding. So much pressure is put onto the youth as they are being born into these already existing troubles. But is this simply pressure to change the world, or is it something deeper?
Using a “cohort” perspective to assess the effects of climate change on youngsters, Climateattribution.org estimates that those born in 2020 will experience a two-sevenfold increase in extreme events, under current climate law. Up to 710 million children are living in higher-risk countries, and younger generations in low-income countries face more than five times of lifetime exposure to climate change. In the opposite sector, high-income countries face the smallest increases and variations across generations. This not only leads to disequilibrium in terms of the climate crisis, but also leads to a disproportionate perspective.
The Reality of Fear Within Younger Generations
Feelings of fear around climate change are common, especially in the forms of panic, reactions to misinformation, and hopelessness. After extreme weather events, trends like PTSD, suicidality, and substance abuse are expected in the ways that these disasters take a toll on one’s health.
The idea of “intergenerational” involves events, in this case, traumatic, from one generation being passed down to the next. According to Britt Wray on TedTalk, the climate crisis “multiplies the stresses marginalized communities already face.”
In my own life, I have also witnessed stress portrayed as a result of traumatic events. When the Holocaust survivors of my family are reminded of their wounds, they unconsciously evoke an aspect of emotional collective trauma and a lasting sensation in those who did not experience the event. To alleviate the aspect of gloom in both this challenge and with climate change, elements of empowerment, understanding and openness must be linked with passion from the whole community.
Trauma is the most significant disruption in the flow of information within a human system. Thomas Hübl, PhD, shares his life integrating greater wisdom, mysticism, and science to help others heal their own psychological pain or disconnection. “Since trauma and the climate are inherently interwoven, climate education needs to become trauma-informed…The more information flow we can generate, the greater will be our capacity for adaptation,” said Hübl. Esteemed teacher, author, founder and facilitator, Hübl is in this growing cohort of practitioners who help individuals integrate spiritual wounds.
Unsettledness about climate change and the future directly connects to fear, anger, and “eco-anxiety.” Interestingly enough, studies from the APA (American Psychological Association) prove that this anxiety is more prevalent among youth. Although this fear of the unknown pertaining to the environment can seem daunting, action is currently being taken to work with and involve the younger generations.
Ongoing Action to Empower Our Future
International Youth Day is an event created that aims to raise awareness about achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and leaving no one behind. Ovais Sarmud, Deputy Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, has a unique perspective on the young generation’s position with this calamity. He mentions, “The young generation…has grown up with climate change and…is rightly demanding intergenerational solidarity and inclusion of their asks in policymaking.” He adds that they are often an overlooked resource and can take lead when given the chance. Young generations act as bridges to other generations, and international solidarity has the power to empower younger generations to be involved in development. When it comes to combating climate change, we must take the time to educate youngsters and allocate resources to inspire creativity and interest rather than nervousness and anxiety, giving children a more substantial role in the process to get a feel for their future as climate cohorts.
By acting on the root of the issue and setting trauma-informed policies to mitigate climate change, our efforts will soon come to fruition. As we learn to change panic into awareness, and awareness into education, the impact of our actions will be more apparent, and we will make a more permanent change and learn to share, integrate, and act on climate-related information more effectively.
