This November, Scotland hosts the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP26 for short. The decisions made in Glasgow will change the lives of every one of us, but how do we engage in the issues without becoming utterly terrified?

 
The past decade was the hottest on record. Recently, many parts of the planet have had to endure soaring temperatures, terrible wildfires and devastating floods. Scientific evidence strongly points to all of these terrible weather events being the result of human activity - if we're going to reverse the damage, we have to change our behaviours fast! COP26 is possibly the last chance for world leaders to review the Paris Agreement they signed five years ago and agree a path towards a more sustainable future. The only thing we know for certain is that young people are leading the way.


We'll keep you posted on progress made at COP26, and on the actions of amazing young climate activists like Holly Gillibrand, Laura Young, Finlay Pringle, Katie Gallogly-Swan, Vanessa Nakate and Greta Thunberg, to name but a few. In the meantime, here are our top tips for calming climate anxiety and getting to grips with the facts:

 
  1. Talk! Simply by talking to friends and family about climate change and what you see and hear in the news, you can inspire others to care about the environment. It will also make you feel better and remind you that you are not alone.
  2. Ditch the Plastic and be the Change! Make changes in your own life that will inspire others to be more sustainable. Whether it's swapping out your shampoo, going veggie, walking to school or ditching the plastic, there are a multitude of ways to make a difference and feel better.
  3.  Get Outside into Nature! The benefits of time spent outdoors are HUGE! Your body and mind will feel better, and you'll also feel more connected to our planet.
  4. Lead! Young people all over the world are using their voice to inspire positive change and calling world leaders to account. Share your ideas and let others know how important this is to you, and what we can all do to live more sustainably.
  5. Stay Positive! Lots of young feel very worried about climate change. Climate anxiety in children is on the rise, but we can turn our eco-worries into eco activism. Focus your conversations on the solutions and highlight the positive things that people are doing. As Greta says, "There is hope – I've seen it – but it does not come from the governments or corporations, it comes from the people." - Greta Thunberg, COP25 Madrid, December 2019.