Know Action: Find the Others and Get on With it

A founder’s journey from eco-anxiety to cautious optimism—through purpose-based action.

Almost seven years ago, I sat in a coffee shop, staring at my computer, scrolling through yet another series of doom-laden climate headlines. The familiar weight of eco-anxiety settled on my shoulders, heavier than ever. But that day was different. Instead of closing the browser and trying to forget, I decided to do something. I decided to try to counteract the constant drip of negativity.

I began sharing positive environmental news stories on my personal social media accounts. Gradually, people began to like and share, but then the haters found me. Strangers (and a few family and acquaintances) were now parroting pro-fossil talking points on my personal feed. I was not prepared for what felt like very personal attacks, but my cause felt important to me. I felt that this action of sharing positive news about the environment needed to be done by somebody, so why not me? So rather than quit, I began a small web page and an email newsletter, free for anyone who signed up.

I remember the nervous excitement as I hit ‘publish’ on our first article in 2018. Would anyone read it? Would it make a difference? I couldn’t have imagined then how this small act would grow into a community of thousands, all seeking hope in the face of environmental challenges.

In my previous post, “Find The Others: Take Action and Find Relief from Eco-Anxiety,” I discussed three key steps to transform anxiety into action: Find The Thing You Do, Find The Others, and Flex Your Power. Today, I want to share how I’ve personally seen these principles come to life through Happy Eco News and offer some insights on managing eco-anxiety that have come me as a result.

The Thing You Do

For me, the Thing I Do became clear: write about and share positive environmental news. It sounds simple, but it’s been transformative. In the beginning, I was simply reposting existing articles at an almost manic pace. It was like I was trying to be a one-person newsroom, desperately attempting to counteract the vast sea of negative news. Every story of innovation, conservation success, or community action I’ve shared has been a small act of rebellion against despair.

I write. I have always been able to articulate my thoughts through written words, and while it has not always been my full-time job, it has always served me well. Therefore, it seemed natural to spread the good news by writing about it. It may not be the most effective way to reach millions, but it was cathartic. It helped me feel I was doing something to help and to maybe someday overcome my fears for the future.

We can’t expect other people always to be the ones to take action. We have to find them and join them. If we need help with our thing and want others to help us, we have to know, understand and do it to show it is possible. Action gets noticed, and action attracts others.

Find The Others

Happy Eco News taught me the true power of community. What started as a solo project has blossomed into a network of contributors, readers, and activists, all united by our common cause: care for the environment.

In late 2020, I received an email from Sharon, a reader in England. She offered to leverage her considerable knowledge of psychology and people skills to write for Happy Eco News, in the hopes her words would help others. Sharon is a very empathetic and action-oriented individual who volunteers for several environmental organizations. She also finds the time to write for Happy Eco News among her many other calendar entries. She discovered her Thing(s) To Do, and like me, writing was one of them. We connected because we were both looking for the others.

A couple of years later, I moved to England for a work assignment and reached out to Sharon for tips on where to go and what outdoor activities to do. We met for a walk, hit it off, and spent many wonderful days walking in the English countryside, solving the world’s problems with Kobi the Wonderdog leading the way. Some of my best memories of England are of walking rutted paths through spectacular vistas with Sharon and her dog Kobi.

In January 2021, I met the Happy Eco News content manager, Jamie. Jamie was looking for her others. She reached out to offer to volunteer for Happy Eco News. I had made a presentation to a group of student activists sponsored by a major environmental organization. I was looking to find the others and to spread the word of the thing I do. Jamie watched the presentation, reached out, and found her others. She has been with us ever since.

I have met many more people along the way—too many to list here. I have found, met, and joined the others, and I have learned that they come from all types of organizations and groups. I have connected with podcast hosts, scientists, artists, business owners, stay-at-home parents, elders, teachers, musicians, website designers, writers, and IT specialists.

To me, the best part of Happy Eco News is, without a doubt, the people.

Flex Your Power

The most rewarding part of this journey, from a mission perspective, has been to witness our global community of environmentally friendly people flex its collective muscle. When you exercise muscle, it grows in size and strength.

While we can’t claim direct credit for all the positive changes we’ve seen, it’s been inspiring to observe how increased access to positive environmental news has contributed to broader societal shifts. Here are three encouraging trends we’ve noticed:

1. The Rise of Clean Energy and Transportation: Over the past few years, we’ve seen a remarkable acceleration in the adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles. Solar and wind power have become increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels, leading to record installations worldwide. Meanwhile, electric vehicle sales are surging, with many countries and major automakers committing to phase out internal combustion engines. This shift isn’t just reducing emissions—it’s creating new jobs, improving air quality in cities, and driving technological innovation.
2. The Emergence of Youth Climate Leaders: One of the most inspiring trends has been the rise of young climate activists, particularly young women, taking center stage in the fight against climate change. Greta Thunberg may be the most recognized name, but she’s far from alone. From Vanessa Nakate in Uganda to Autumn Peltier in Canada, strong young women are leading climate strikes, speaking at international forums, and holding world leaders accountable. Their passion and determination are reshaping the climate conversation and inspiring a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens.
3. Divestment from Fossil Fuels: We’ve witnessed a significant shift in the financial world, with a growing number of institutions divesting from fossil fuels. Universities, pension funds, and even major investment firms are pulling their money out of oil, coal, and gas companies. This trend goes beyond just avoiding harmful industries—many of these institutions are reinvesting in clean energy and other sustainable sectors. This financial realignment is sending a powerful message about the future of energy and putting pressure on companies to adapt to a low-carbon economy.

These trends reflect a broader shift in societal values and behaviors, spurred on by greater awareness and access to information about environmental solutions. While Happy Eco News can’t take credit for these changes, we’re proud to be part of a wider ecosystem of information sharing that’s contributing to this positive momentum. Every story we share, every innovation we highlight, adds to a growing narrative of hope and possibility.

Managing Eco-Anxiety

These experiences have profoundly shifted my relationship with eco-anxiety. Yes, the challenges we face are still enormous. But every day, I see evidence that we have the power to create change. Every innovation we highlight, every success story we share, chips away at the paralysis that eco-anxiety can induce and gives me hope for the future.

I feel hopeful because of in writing about all these amazing news stories, I feel stronger. The strength comes from my small community of others, and I feel empowered because together, we are making positive changes, the small incremental changes that are finally moving the needle in the right direction.

Environmental psychology offers valuable insights into managing eco-anxiety. Some researchers suggest that connecting with nature, even in small ways, can significantly reduce stress and anxiety related to environmental concerns.

This aligns perfectly with our approach at Happy Eco News – by highlighting positive stories about nature and conservation, we’re not just sharing information but potentially helping our readers build a stronger, more positive connection with the natural world.

I’m filled with cautious but genuine optimism. But the most exciting developments are the ones I can’t predict – the ripple effects of our community’s actions that will shape the world in ways we can’t yet imagine.

To every reader feeling the weight of eco-anxiety: I see you. I’ve been there too. But I also see the incredible potential within you. Your passion, your skills, your voice – they’re all needed in this fight for our planet.

So, I challenge you: Find your Thing To Do. Connect with others who share your passion. And together, let’s flex our collective power to create the future we want to see.

The path from eco-anxiety to eco-action isn’t always easy, but it’s one we can walk together. And every step forward is a victory worth celebrating.