Climate Anxiety and Building Resilience in Europe’s Small Islands

22nd October 2024

On 21st October, young people and educators gathered in a deep and profound workshop by the Islanders project on one particularly personal yet shared experience: climate anxiety. In a session led by Antonio Caso, a project manager and a sustainability trainer, participants spoke about how shifting environmental circumstances are changing their lives, cultures, and the future of Europe.

Facing Climate Anxiety: Shared Emotions of a Community

The session started with an engagement activity where participants shared the feelings that come to mind when they relate themselves to climate change. Anxiety, sadness, uncertainty, anger, and fear – emotions familiar to many across different communities. For young islanders, this climate anxiety comes both from environmental threats and cultural dissonance, or loss of traditional ways of life.

Participants were worried about the increase in sea-level rise and water temperature, which may be harmful to aquatic life and thus pose a threat to their livelihoods and long-held traditions. A young Greek participant spoke of how her identity – and that of her community – is linked to the sea. To lose this because of climate change was not solely an environmental loss but a cultural one.

Cultural Preservation in the Face of Environmental Change

Discussion proceeded, and participants shared how culture and the environment interlink in an island perspective. Antonio spoke about his hometown, Taranto in Italy, where “Traditions such as mussel farming are disappearing with rising water temperatures.”

Throughout the session, Antonio asked participants to reflect deeply about what they could commit to in turning their climate anxiety into action. It’s easy to feel alone with such fears, but this workshop underscored how resilience flows through community. The young people also made clear they’re interested in local activities that might include reforestation projects, responsible fishing, and educational actions that would be a relief for climate anxiety.

The discussion brought to light how such resilience was required not only in terms of environmental sustainability but also for a continued sense of belonging and cultural continuity. According to one of the participants: “When our community comes together to take action on climate, it is as if we’re defending something bigger than land – it’s protecting identity.”

Looking Ahead: Creating a Future for Europe’s Small Islands

As the workshop wrapped up, the mood was a mix of gravity and hope. Ultimately, this workshop highlighted that tackling climate anxiety on Europe’s small islands isn’t just about managing emotions; it’s about building resilience, preserving culture, and empowering young people to become the next generation of change-makers.