This article is written by Ariana Louwe, Senior Communications Advisor, Environment and Climate Change Canada.

  • The problem: Burnout and loss of motivation working in climate policy.
  • Why it matters: It's important work that needs to be done
  • The solution: Giving yourself what you need to be able to keep going

Climate change and biodiversity loss are constant themes of my work at the federal department responsible for addressing these parallel and connected catastrophes. On top of that, I live in British Columbia, Canada, which in the last two years alone has seen heatwaves that killed hundreds; floods that destroyed highways and thousands of livestock; and wildfires that obliterated entire towns. When that is the world I’m living in, it can feel like too much to log in at work and read a steady stream of environmental news. There is so much work that needs to be done, and communicated, and not enough time in the day to give everything the attention it deserves.

All the little things we do as public servants are contributing to the bigger goals.

It’s easy to get burnt out by this work. So easy, that it’s almost inevitable. I’ve been doing this work for over seven years now, and the last few have been especially difficult due to the pandemic. At times I have felt like my contribution is pointless. I have lost motivation to produce the social media content I’m asked for, or news releases announcing new funding for environmental projects. It just doesn’t feel like it is making a difference or changing anything when the problems we are facing are so huge.

What can be done?

What has helped me combat that burnout is twofold. One, activities or strategies that make the severity of these crises feel less overwhelming. And two, focusing on the areas of my work where it feels like I can accomplish something worthwhile.

To the first point, the overall strategy could be summed up as prioritising my mental wellbeing. It takes continual practice to stay grounded in the present and feel connected to the natural world. I’ve tried to limit the amount of time I spend online when I’m not working, and any success I’ve had toward that goal is in large part thanks to my dog. Getting outside for a walk every single day means that I will have at least some time to move my body and breathe fresh air. For such a simple thing, it really does help to snap out of an anxious or depressed headspace. Personally, I have also found yoga and meditation indispensable. By going to a yoga studio a few times a week I’ve been able to connect with my community, and learn how to quiet my mind and maintain my peace. I try to remember that nature still is all around us, and we are still connected to it as humans on this planet.

As for the second part, I am trying not to be so cynical that I can’t recognise progress when it happens. The COP15 biodiversity conference in Montreal has just wrapped up as I’m writing this. Most of the world just came together and agreed to protect 30% of the world for nature by 2030. That is a big deal! The communications work I was doing as part of that conference, while not the most critical part, was still a necessary part of achieving that agreement. That’s what I’ll try to remember about my work this year. All the little things we do as public servants are contributing to the bigger goals. It’s easy to lose sight of that at times. But when we achieve something as a team, branch, agency, government, or even international community, it’s important to remember that we were a part of that success.

Main takeaway

Even though working in the climate crisis can feel overwhelming, it's still possible to find meaning in the work we do. Try to give yourself every possible advantage in your wellbeing, and hopefully, you will be able to recognise good things when they happen.

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(Image Credit: Unsplash)