Earth Day Canada’s 2022 campaign, under the theme “Remedy together,” recognizes those who live with eco-anxiety, a mental health issue affecting Canadians concerned about the future of our planet.
The campaign is inviting them to call in sick today. Canadians are invited to use this time to take care of themselves and each other by rallying around positive collective action for the planet.
“The results of the most recent polls are disturbing: 45% of Canadians live with eco-anxiety. It’s time for everyone to equip themselves with the tools they need to heal. We want everyone to take action as a community: a powerful remedy for eco-anxiety,” says Valérie Mallamo, executive director of Earth Day Canada. “Given the current situation, to acknowledge those feelings, come together and take action on April 22nd is the thing to do to take care of ourselves. The planet needs us to be in good shape.”
Taking care of the planet to take care of yourself
Everyone is invited to visit remedytogether.org. By registering, participants will receive a symbolic proof of their declaration of eco-anxiety to share via their social networks. They will also find suggestions for activities as well as a calendar of initiatives they can join in their neighborhood. The hashtag #remedytogether will give visibility to every healing action on or around April 22nd.
“The climate crisis and the mental health crisis are interrelated. Eco-anxiety is our internal alarm, confirming that we are personally affected by climate change. It is a normal reaction and perhaps desirable, because it pushes us to seek solutions, to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change in our communities,” explains Isabelle Beliveau, co-founder and executive director of Eco-motion, an organization specialized in eco-anxiety.
“It can become invasive, but it is possible to learn to live with eco-anxiety, and transform it into a source of energy, an energy that can motivate us to act and to mobilize others around us.”
“With everything that’s happening in the world, the war in Ukraine, COVID, and the climate crisis, there’s a collective feeling of dread looming. We need to act. The planet needs us to be in good shape. That is why, with this year’s campaign, we are inviting Canadians to equip themselves with the tools they need to heal collectively and to feel empowered : we are offering them the chance to take care of themselves and each other by rallying around positive collective action for the planet,” says Thomas Mulcair, chairman of the board, Earth Day Canada
For a variety of Earth Day activities, check the listings at earthday.ca for all the details.