Brie Thompson is a journalism senior and opinion columnist for Mustang News. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.
My environmental journey
I was supposed to be named Isabel, but after Hurricane Isabel – one of the deadliest hurricanes in recorded history – my parents quickly changed their minds. They decided on Brianna instead.
Growing up in an extremely climate-conscious family, we were the neighbors on the corner handing out used toys instead of candy on Halloween. Living a sustainable lifestyle was something instilled in me from a young age.
At 16, I fell in love with environmental science after taking a high school course on the subject. I spent countless lunch hours with my AP Environmental Science teacher, learning about how she lived her life so sustainably. Her lifestyle and passion for the environment truly inspired me and ignited a deep interest in the future of how our society could address and survive climate change.
Four years later, after taking several classes for my minor in Sustainable Environments, I realized how much more difficult it is for society to embrace sustainable living than I ever imagined. What seemed so natural and attainable within my household feels like an impossible challenge when trying to convince an entire country – let alone the world – that climate change is real and poses a tangible, scientific threat to humanity. It’s shocking that some people still can’t or won’t acknowledge this reality.
After spending four years in college participating in sustainability-related activities, I find myself burnt out. My passion still shines through in many aspects of my daily life, but the fire that once burned so brightly within me has started to fade.
The burnout generation
In the class, I found out that carbon dioxide emissions had risen by 60% since 1990. I learned how things like poverty, a lack of education for women, and plain old greed were the ones making climate change even worse. It was all so overwhelming to take in, and it’s only gotten more urgent today. The sad part about the whole thing is that the forces driving this crisis are corporate greed, inefficient land use, and our endless appetite for resources. All yet feel attainable but are nearly impossible to stop in this deep systemic cycle.
I know I am not alone in feeling this way. No matter how many petitions we sign, donations we make, or hours we volunteer, the fate of our planet seems unchanged. This has taken a deep emotional toll on our generation as we’ve transitioned from children with sustainable dreams to adults entering a workforce where the reality of the work is relentless, and progress is slow.
Why it feels like nothing is ever enough
In a culture where it feels like no one is ever working hard enough, it’s difficult to feel like the work you’re doing is truly saving the planet. It’s easy to feel discouraged in the environmental industry, especially when the changes we’re striving for often feel like they can only happen at a systemic level. But it’s not just about the passion you once had, it’s the resilience to keep going that actually drives change.
To help reignite that flame, it can be actually helpful to take a step back from climate change news. While staying informed about global issues is important, stepping away can help you re-center your passion and refocus on a specific area of interest. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the issues covered in the media, and it leaves you wanting to fight for everything all at once.
Another step I’ve started to implement is focusing on what I can control. This includes making changes like adopting alternative eating habits, shopping more consciously, and finding small, daily ways to reduce carbon emissions. These small actions aren’t going to solve the climate crisis, but they can help bring your passion into your everyday life and serve as a reminder of the difference you can make on a personal level.
I’ve also found it crucial to build supportive networks where I can openly discuss these anxieties and the burnout that comes with them. Climate anxiety is a very real issue and deserves to be normalized in our conversations. It’s not a minor concern, and having spaces to express these worries openly is essential for maintaining both individual well-being and collective progress.
What is truly worth fighting for
As a final message to those experiencing climate change burnout: remember that what you’re doing is enough. Climate change is a deeply systemic issue, and meaningful change can only happen when political leaders take accountability and implement the steps necessary to create a sustainable planet.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty of our future, but know this: we may not be able to extinguish every fire, but we can keep the flame of hope alive. That resilience, that hope, is what’s truly worth fighting for!