Guilt, Anxiety and Hope: The Lives of Young Climate Activists in India

 

"It's an immediate turnoff for me when I encounter someone who's apolitical, dismisses my concerns about the climate crisis, and brags about their flights and taxi rides."

"My parents strictly warned me not to participate. Nevertheless, my friend and I defied their instructions, carrying posters and banners as we made our way to the nearest metro station," recalled Yashna Dhuria, a 20-year-old climate activist, reflecting on her experience attending the inaugural global climate strike in Delhi, India's capital, in 2019.

Dhuria and her fellow activists persist in leading campaigns, challenging inaction, and unsettling the administration. However, alongside their activism, they grapple with emotions of fear, betrayal, and abandonment, as their impassioned pleas often fall on deaf ears.

"The more I learn about the climate crisis, the more helpless I feel. I've broken down emotionally countless times, explaining to classmates and family what's impending. My question is, why don't people care? Will they ever?" questioned Dhuria.

While not an officially recognized mental health diagnosis, Dhuria likely experiences ecological anxiety, commonly referred to as "eco-anxiety." This term is used to describe a chronic fear of environmental catastrophe, a sentiment prevalent not only among activists but potentially intensified due to the nature of their work.

"The irony is that I took the most flights last year, mainly for climate advocacy work like attending the United Nations and the Conference of the Parties to engage with decision-makers," confessed Sriranjini Raman, a student and community organizer previously associated with Fridays For Future (FFF) India. "It makes me feel so guilty that my individual emissions probably exceed those of entire communities in India. I really don't know how to deal with it."

Similar to Raman, many activists grapple with profound guilt regarding their contributions to planetary degradation, be it through flights, failure to cycle to work, consuming meat, or forgetting reusable items. For some, this anxiety becomes so overwhelming that seeking therapy becomes a necessary step, as explained by Agrima Chatterjee, a Delhi-based psychotherapist working with the youth-led environmental action group There Is No Earth B (TINEB).

Chatterjee suggests that the overwhelming emotions stem partly from a strong savior complex among young climate activists. The enormity of the problem, combined with the perceived inadequacy of their efforts, leads to a constant sense of loss, fostering feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

Shivani Goyal, a 22-year-old FFF member, invests her time in research, email writing, social media content creation, and Twitterstorms against policies threatening Assam's climate. Despite these efforts, she often questions the impact of her actions, feeling constrained by age limitations that prevent her from participating in negotiations.

"Is anything coming out of this?" Goyal wonders. "We have just 10 years for climate action. Assam is a big state, and there's so much to do. It feels like a privilege to even consider taking time off."

Vijay Sehrawat, a 27-year-old founding member of Youth For Climate India, discussed how his deepening understanding of the climate crisis made him somewhat "too negative" for family and friends. He emphasized the need for constructive conversations about climate issues and understanding when to approach others with such concerns.

Mohini Singh, a psychologist based in Bangalore who has worked with TINEB volunteers, highlighted the lack of validation for the work done by young climate activists in the Indian context. While support is readily available for issues like breakups or academic failures, climate anxiety often goes unacknowledged.

Despite the challenges, there is a sense of joy, solidarity, and radical love within the climate activist community. Disha Ravi, an Indian youth climate change activist, arrested in 2021 for sharing an online toolkit supporting farmers' protests, finds solace in her climate community, emphasizing the energy and optimism derived from collective efforts.

Nevertheless, the chilling effects of Ravi's arrest have altered the trajectory of climate activism in India. Recognizing the importance of protecting not just the planet but also online privacy, activists have become vigilant about potential monitoring and misuse of their activities. The experience has made them cautious about their online presence, with concerns about words like "strike" and "action" being misinterpreted by those in power.

Facing online trolls and accusations of being against development, many activists endure trauma and mental anguish. Despite these challenges, Goyal believes that climate change is an issue capable of uniting people beyond differences.

This belief is echoed by Burhan Bhat, a 23-year-old member of Climate Front India, who emphasized the greater obstacles faced by environmental groups in Kashmir, including curfews, communication restrictions, and skepticism from elders. Despite these challenges, young activists in Kashmir continue to organize clean-up drives and peaceful protests.

Anmol Ohri, a 25-year-old activist from Climate Front's Jammu chapter, outlined the difficulties in garnering attention for climate change amid issues like the 4G internet ban and political instability. The struggle is to convince people that climate change deserves attention alongside fundamental concerns like economic empowerment and political rights.

While watching the lack of initiative from the older generation, giving up is not an option for many young activists, even when more comfortable opportunities beckon. Lakshay, a 24-year-old who worked with the Delhi chapter of FFF, acknowledged the temptation to pursue a job in the tech field but couldn't ignore the pressing environmental issues.

Similarly, Goyal altered her career trajectory to contribute more to the planet, pursuing a master's in environment and sustainable development studies instead of following a commerce path. Raman highlighted the dilemma faced by young people, torn between corporate jobs for financial gain and jobs aligned with environmental causes to prevent ecological devastation.

The fight for climate justice extends to their romantic choices, with shared values on climate becoming a crucial criterion. For many activists, being with someone who dismisses their concerns about environmental doom is a dealbreaker.

Alice Barwa, a 24-year-old Adivasi educator and researcher, expressed frustration at Indigenous communities like hers being at the forefront of the climate crisis, despite coexisting with nature for centuries. She recounted her experience at COP26 and emphasized the need to bridge the gap in representation for Indigenous communities in climate justice spaces.

Despite the pervasive anxiety affecting various aspects of their lives, some activists cope by channeling their anxiety into collective anger against the system. Dhryshtadyumn Khera, a TINEB member, shifted his focus from individual lifestyle changes to building a movement and fostering collective action.

Raman emphasized the need for self-care, acknowledging that the climate justice movement is a marathon, not a sprint. Yoga, mindfulness, being in nature, hiking, farming, and connecting with like-minded individuals are ways she copes with eco-anxiety.

Offering advice from her counseling sessions, Chatterjee encourages embracing these emotions, validating experiences, and interacting with like-minded individuals to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Despite facing challenges such as greenwashing by corporations and youth-washing by politicians, these young activists persevere in working for issues that may impact them profoundly without contributing to them. However, many have recognized the importance of finding support within their community and investing in self-care alongside their activism.