2023-10-29 04:00:00
A mother from Montreal chose to fight her eco-anxiety by becoming an activist in the climate emergency.
“It’s a danger that threatens our children and there are times when I am terrified,” says Isabelle Sénécal, 52 years old.
Climate change is the third biggest source of stress for Quebecers, following money, according to a survey commissioned by The newspaper, regardless of the age of the respondents.
• Read also: Rising interest rates, fear of running out of money or climate change: Quebecers consumed by stress
Justified anxiety
Mme Sénécal recognizes this and the mother of a blended family of four children believes that this anxiety is justified.
“I don’t consider that people have an anxiety problem, but rather that they see a danger that is real […] If a bear rushes at you, we are not going to blame you for being anxious and offer you relaxation methods,” she explains, recognizing nevertheless that the climate threat is more abstract.
For a little over a year, she has been involved with the Mothers at the Front organization. She participated in sit-in in front of the office of Prime Minister François Legault, signed open letters and took part in various awareness activities.
“For me, it’s more important to campaign than to make my oat milk, even if I still try,” she says with a smile.
“I disagree with the trend that places great responsibility on individual changes. It counts, but these small gestures are really not enough,” she continues, calling it unrealistic to shop in zero-waste grocery stores with four teenagers at home.
Happier as an activist
And if one might believe that surrounding oneself with people campaigning once morest global warming might instead increase anxiety, Mme Sénécal saw the opposite.
“It adds lots of other great experiences. I discover people with whom I have a lot of pleasure […] I am not unhappy and I am happier than when I did not commit,” she assures.
She is not surprised to see that the social climate is currently a great source of stress among Quebecers.
Like others, she is worried regarding seeing a rise in intolerance, which might target young people around her because of their gender identity or the color of their skin, she emphasizes.
“We are a rich society, there is no reason for people to be so badly off, for living conditions to deteriorate,” she argues.
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