The search for sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic packaging is intensifying. While many innovative concepts have emerged, one solution looks really promising: leaf packaging. It is already a common practice in nations like China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and others, but it has not really been embraced by developed nations. The challenge therefore lies not in its newness, but in its widespread adoption by global corporations and consumers.

**The Urgent Need for Change:**

Conventional packaging is glamorous - focused on customer attraction and shelf appeal - making it the default choice for captivating consumers and enhancing brand visibility.  Its health and environmental costs are however undeniable. Research has found a significant relationship between the use of chemically processed packaging materials like nylons and polythenes, and an increase in cancer-related cases (see[ Plastic-and-Health-The-Hidden-Costs-of-a-Plastic-Planet](https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/%20Plastic-and-Health-The-Hidden-Costs-of-a-Plastic-Planet-February-2019.pdf) and [plastics-and-health](https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/plastics-and-health/)).

Plant leaves are nature’s alternative. They can make for good packaging because they repel water, do not impart harmful substances into food, and can be attractive in their own right. Not all leaves are created equal, though. Below are some identified leaf varieties with promising packaging potential:

\- Banana Leaves: Renowned for their flexibility, water-resistance, and ability to impart a subtle flavor to food, banana leaves have a long history of use in tropical cuisines.

\- Lotus Leaves: Known for their natural water-repellent properties and aromatic qualities, lotus leaves offer a unique and elegant packaging solution.

\- Water Hyacinths: Researchers are exploring this fast-growing plant for packaging. Its initial laboratory results confirm it is uncontaminated and safe for use.

Leaves are of course biodegradable, naturally decomposing without releasing harmful substances. Their decay process enriches the soil with nutrients, making them an excellent source of compost, a double win for sustainability. Also, using leaves at scale could significantly reduce pollution levels caused by plastics, particularly in landfills and oceans.

A common concern surrounding leaf packaging is the potential for deforestation. The counter-argument is that trees are naturally regenerative, and the harvesting of leaves doesn't necessitate felling entire trees. Sustainable harvesting practices can ensure a continuous supply of packaging materials without compromising forest health.

The key to widespread adoption lies in bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern consumer expectations. Innovators will need to focus on developing leaf packaging that is not only environmentally friendly but also visually appealing and functionally comparable to its plastic and paper counterparts. This requires research and development into techniques that enhance the durability, aesthetics, and versatility of leaf-based packaging  (see[ packaging-made-plant-leaves](https://biooekonomie.de/en/news/packaging-made-plant-leaves) and [nigerias-street-food-adds-to-the-plastic-problem-green-leaves-offer-a-solution](https://theconversation.com/nigerias-street-food-adds-to-the-plastic-problem-green-leaves-offer-a-solution-203618)).

Leaf packaging is more than a return to old-world practices; it is a forward-thinking step toward a sustainable future. By embracing innovation, addressing concerns, and promoting collaboration between researchers, businesses, and policymakers, we can unlock the vast potential of leaf packaging and create a healthier, more environmentally responsible world.


Packaging with Leaves: A Forward-Thinking Concept

The words “climate-resilient towns and cities” may not immediately bring to mind pictures of playgrounds, skate parks, or climbing walls. Yet, rethinking how human spaces are designed to address climate change also opens the door to creating dynamic, interactive environments. Around the world, cities are seizing opportunities to transform climate adaptation efforts into a chance to inspire joy and outdoor exploration.

By strategically integrating climate-smart features—like permeable surfaces, natural shading, or greenspace into parks and recreational areas, these spaces can mitigate flooding and help manage urban heat. Making places more walkable also reduces transportation carbon pollution. Plus it can enhance local biodiversity. It is a great opportunity to invite people to actively engage with nature, fostering a sense of stewardship for our environment.

**[Growing Up Boulder](https://www.growingupboulder.org/), Colorado, USA**
Parks and playgrounds are central to childhood, yet how often are children invited to imagine what they would like to experience in these spaces? The nonprofit _Growing Up Boulder_ empowers children to co-design parks in their community. From bold requests for zip lines to whimsical nooks for plants and insects, the children’s visions result in engaging play areas alongside valuable lessons in civic involvement. Children who see their ideas take shape gain a sense of ownership and responsibility, fostering a new generation of engaged, conscious citizens.

**[Underpass Park](https://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/our-projects/underpass-park), Toronto, Canada**
In Toronto, a gray, unremarkable underpass has been transformed into a playground hidden beneath the city’s highways. Basketball courts, skateparks, and public seating bring people together to relax and play in a spot that used to be full of dust and shadows. A mirrored art piece suspended on the bottom of the overpass reflects light and colors, brightening the area. The project integrates permeable surfaces to manage water runoff, reducing flood risks and protecting Lake Ontario’s health. As the success of Underpass Park shows, no place is beyond redemption.

**[CopenHill](https://www.copenhill.dk/en), Copenhagen**, **Denmark**
Wondering where to go for a day of skiing, hiking, and climbing? Residents of Copenhagen, Denmark visit their local waste-to-energy plant. Once an industrial area avoided by locals, the roof of CopenHill has been converted into a ski slope and the sides have been transformed into a huge climbing wall drawing people to visit this spot for a day of outdoor adventure. The original design’s 100 plant species have doubled, thanks to seeds carried by foraging birds. As a naturally flat country, Denmark’s first ski slope provides a novel, local opportunity for an exhilarating and sustainable experience.

**[The High Line](https://www.thehighline.org/), New York City, USA**
Urban expansion often leaves little room for new green spaces, but New York City's High Line shows how even the constraint of tight spaces can be overcome using a little creativity. This 1.4-mile park is built on an abandoned elevated railway, offering a lush walking path with over 500 species of plants, spots to rest, different views to enjoy, and unique art installations. The High Line park is practical as well as beautiful, incorporating sustainable water management techniques and ecologically mindful landscaping. Between pollinators and pedestrians this railway is alive with activity again - a reminder that even neglected infrastructure can transform into a community treasure.

**[Gardens by the Bay](https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/), Singapore**
Few places embody the fusion of nature and technology as seamlessly as _Gardens by the Bay_. Its towering Super trees, vertical gardens which rise up to 50 meters, collect rainwater to store as a resource for potential droughts while generating solar energy for the park’s needs. Ranked among the world’s top attractions, the Gardens reflect Singapore’s commitment to an enjoyable present and a resilient future. This urban landscape is a harmonious balance of beauty, utility, and sustainability.

**Creating Climate-Resilience**
Resilience is not limited to large-scale projects—individual actions can spark meaningful change. Here are practical steps you can take to foster sustainable design in your community:

**1. Engage Locally:** Attend community meetings and advocate for sustainable, inclusive green spaces. [Research and vote](https://www.earthhero.org/act/287-research-and-vote-accordingly/) for candidates in your area who will support climate resilience.

**2. Collaborate Across Generations:** Involve children, seniors, and people with disabilities in planning [discussions](https://www.earthhero.org/act/168-talk-about-climate/).

**3. Promote Sustainable Design:** Support initiatives featuring [renewable energy](https://www.earthhero.org/act/78-switch-electricity-to-clean-energy/), [regreening your area](https://www.earthhero.org/act/711-re-green-your-area/), and water-efficient landscaping.

**4. Volunteer Your Expertise:** Artists, engineers, gardeners, and organizers can play pivotal roles in transforming spaces.

**5. Host Events:** Create opportunities for community engagement through workshops, cleanups, and outdoor gatherings such as a [sustainable BBQ](https://www.earthhero.org/act/763-host-a-sustainable-bbq/).

**6. Support Resilient Infrastructure:** Advocate for public investments in stormwater management and renewable energy solutions.

**7. Celebrate Wins and Take Time for Whimsy**: It’s important to [turn off the bad news](https://www.earthhero.org/act/861-take-a-break-from-bad-news/) sometimes and make intentional space for fun.

By reimagining community spaces, we can weave joy into the ways we address climate challenges making our neighborhoods more resilient, exciting, and full of life.


Building Climate Resilience: Where Function Meets Fun

Earth Hero Interview: Scientist Rebellion

Ever finish eating while in a vehicle and wondered, "Where do I drop this trash?" This dilemma reflects a broader issue: the absence of simple waste management systems integrated into our vehicles. While vehicle manufacturers have initiated the idea of recycling old vehicles to reduce metallic waste and promote a sustainable environment, not many vehicle manufacturers have considered integrating waste management features into vehicle designs. Sophistication, comfort, and physical attraction often dominate design priorities, leaving practical solutions for everyday waste disposal overlooked.  However, integrating waste management features into vehicle designs can be a low-hanging fruit and a big deal in defining class and innovation.

**The Growing Waste Problem**

According to the United Nations report, municipal solid waste is predicted to rise from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050 (See [global-waste management-outlook-2024](https://www.unep.org/resources/global-waste-management-outlook-2024)). Another report by the World Bank reveals that in 2020, an estimated 2.24 billion tonnes of solid waste were generated globally, equating to an average of 0.79 kilograms per person daily. This problem is intensifying, with projections indicating a 73% rise by 2050, resulting in an annual total of 3.88 billion tonnes (See [Solid Waste Management](https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment/brief/solid-waste-management)). These costs manifest not only as direct waste management expenses but also through hidden costs such as environmental pollution, deteriorating public health, and climate change. Mismanaged waste contributes to pollution, poor public health, and environmental degradation, with oceans bearing the cost of plastic contamination. To address this, innovative solutions are urgently needed and the redesigning of vehicles to accommodate waste disposal can be a part of this answer.

**Rethinking Vehicle Design**

While manufacturers focus on sophistication, class, and comfort, few have considered how vehicles could directly contribute to solving environmental crises. Adding waste management features like waste bags, buckets, or simple hanging spaces could revolutionize how we tackle waste disposal on the go.  Public buses could also have separate compartments for recyclables, biodegradable waste, and general trash, reducing landfill contributions.
Imagine vehicles equipped with waste management systems designed to simplify and encourage proper disposal.

These features could include:

**_Built-In Waste Bins or Bags_**
Small, discreet waste compartments in passenger vehicles could provide convenient places for passengers to dispose of trash without littering. These bins could be removable for easy cleaning and replacement.

**_Hanging Waste Spaces_**
Adding hooks or designated spaces for waste bags inside vehicles whether private cars or public transport would address the "where do I drop this" dilemma. A simple addition like this would go a long way in reducing roadside litter.

**The Environmental Benefits**

In an era where sustainability is critical, incorporating waste management features represents a forward-thinking opportunity. Beyond comfort and performance, vehicles can embody environmental responsibility.** **Adding waste disposal features to vehicles could significantly reduce litter in public spaces, improve recycling rates, and lower the environmental burden of waste mismanagement.

Consumers could also play a role in this transformation by demanding sustainable vehicle features and using them responsibly. Governments and regulatory bodies can also incentivize manufacturers to adopt eco-friendly designs, including waste management systems. Public-private partnerships could pilot waste-friendly vehicle designs in cities, especially in areas grappling with waste crises.

By redesigning vehicles with waste disposal systems, we can shift from viewing vehicles solely as transport tools to seeing them as agents of environmental preservation. We can make vehicles part of the solution, one waste bag or bucket at a time.

For other waste management ideas, see [From Waste to Wealth: Paid Waste Returns Could Be a Double Win for Developing Countries](https://www.earthhero.org/articles/from-waste-to-wealth--paid-waste-returns-could-be-a-double-win-for-developing-countries/). 


Driving Out Waste: Designing Vehicles with Built-In Disposal Features

Cities are built for people, but we aren’t the only ones living there. As climate change disrupts traditional habitats, many species are migrating to urban areas to find food and shelter. Cities and towns worldwide are reimagining what it takes to become more resilient and inclusive of biodiversity.

**3D Printing for Habitat Creation**

[Urban Reef](https://www.urbanreef.nl/), a design company in Rotterdam, uses advanced 3D printing technology to create crevice-covered structures inspired by the complex geometrical shapes of natural coral formations. These habitats are made of clay or mycelium\* (the “roots” of [fungi](https://www.earthhero.org/act/757-learn-about-and-support-fungi)) and have surfaces for moss and mushrooms to grow, cavities that can be used by nesting birds, and indentations for insects.\*\* 

Once installed and given time to flourish these urban reefs host plants that absorb pollutants and produce oxygen. The vegetation supported by urban reefs can lower a cities heat island effect by providing cooling through transpiration (the process by which water moves up from the roots through the plant’s internal pathways and is released as water vapor), creating more comfortable living conditions for city residents.

Urban-Reef’s vision is to make cities more “bio-inclusive,” that is, supportive of both human and non-human life. Designers and policymakers taking a bio-inclusive approach would consider how their decisions affect wildlife and people, being mindful that our well-being is interconnected. When a diverse range of species thrive, humans benefit by living in a more stable and resilient ecosystem with natural climate regulation, pollination, pest-control, and increased mental health benefits.\*\*\*

The people at Urban Reef are not the only ones leveraging technology to build habitats that support biodiversity. Many organizations use 3D printing in their efforts to restore [coral reefs](https://www.earthhero.org/act/394-adopt-coral-fragments). For example, [SECORE International ](https://www.secore.org/site/home.html)creates what they call “seeding units”, which are 3D-printed foundations that provide stable surfaces for coral larvae to settle on. The seeding units are placed inside of incubators with coral larvae. Once the larvae settle onto the seeding units, they are gradually transferred to an outdoor aquarium and eventually to the ocean. These seeding units do not need to be installed in the ocean by hand which saves a lot of human labor and cost.\*\*\*\* Instead, they are sprinkled over natural reefs where they land and hook into existing crevices. 

Healthy coral benefits nearby cities and towns by improving water quality, preventing erosion and absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Reefs offer habitat for a wide range of species making coastal cities more attractive for anyone who enjoys snorkeling and diving. Sustainable fisheries supported by healthy reefs provide locals with a source of food and economic opportunities.

Other cities are using different methods to achieve more bio-inclusivity. Portland, Oregon restored a single block using a natural spring and native plants to be more like the landscape that existed before the city, while New York City repurposed a railway line to become a narrow walking park, and Ohio made more space for native plants and animals on the Scioto River.

**Rolling Back the Concrete**

Tanner Springs Park in Portland offers a glimpse into the natural history of the area. This block-sized natural oasis is inspired by the landscape as it existed before the city was built, while also including pathways and benches for visitors to enjoy. The park features native plants and a natural wetland area, offering a sanctuary where wildlife in the heart of the city can access water. Residents can experience close encounters with nature without leaving their neighborhood. Tanner Springs Park is cared for by local volunteers who tend to the plants and make efforts to control and remove invasive species. 

**From Rails to Trails**

The High Line Park in Manhattan was built on a disused elevated railway track, and features diverse plant species creating a green corridor that weaves between the brick buildings and loft apartments of the West Side. The park provides habitat and connectivity for birds, insects, and other wildlife, while also offering recreational space for residents and visitors. The High Line can be seen as a model for transforming neglected urban infrastructure into vibrant green spaces.

**A Buffer Zone Between Land and Water**

The Scioto Mile project in Columbus, Ohio added 5.4 acres of “riparian” (or waterfront) habitat, equivalent to four football fields, creating a lush corridor along the water's edge. The riparian edge serves as a natural buffer between the river and urban development. Widening this area and increasing the diversity of native plants provided habitat for wildlife, improved water quality through natural filtration processes, and offered recreational opportunities for the community.\*\*\*\*\*

**Bring Bio-inclusivity to Your Neighborhood**

In order to preserve biodiversity and make our communities as resilient as possible in the face of climate change, we will need to innovate more unique ways to include nature in urban spaces. Here’s how to get started:

**1. Get Involved Locally:** Participate in biodiversity projects or support similar initiatives in your area. [Encourage local governments](https://www.earthhero.org/act/180-write-your-representatives/) to incorporate green infrastructure and biodiversity-friendly policies into urban planning by [commenting on regulations and policies](https://www.earthhero.org/act/197-comment-on-government-regulation). Help [elect climate leaders](https://www.earthhero.org/act/808-help-elect-key-climate-leaders). 

**2. Volunteer:** Join organizations working on urban greening, wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and [building climate resilience](https://www.earthhero.org/act/233-join-a-climate-action-group). Get involved in [community science](https://www.earthhero.org/articles/embrace-nature--apps-for-connecting-with-the-great-outdoors).

**3. Advocate for better planning**: Work with others to influence city planners and how they design your area and the projects they focus on. Push for more green spaces and places that people can enjoy, which will naturally support biodiversity.

**4. Plant Native Species:** Contribute to urban biodiversity by planting native species [in your yard](https://www.earthhero.org/act/405-plant-a-pollinator-friendly-garden) or a [community garden](https://www.earthhero.org/act/474-start-or-join-a-community-garden). Turn life-less concrete or unnatural spaces into green ones where you can.

**5. Attend Workshops:** Take part in educational programs in your area or [facilitate a workshop](https://www.earthhero.org/act/682-engage-in-climate-change-education) yourself.

**6. Support Sustainable Materials:** Advocate for the use of biodegradable and recycled materials in urban planning.

Providing critical habitats for wildlife also enhances the quality of life for urban residents. By embracing bio-inclusive approaches and engaging local communities in conservation efforts, cities worldwide can continue moving towards more sustainable urban environments that benefit both people and the planet.

**Additional sources:**

\*Holland.com. (n.d.). Urban Reef. Retrieved July 13, 2024, from[ https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/get-inspired/bring-yourself/urban-reef-1](https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/get-inspired/bring-yourself/urban-reef-1)

\*\* Urban Reef. (n.d.). Blog. Retrieved July 13, 2024, from[ https://www.urbanreef.nl/blog](https://www.urbanreef.nl/blog)

\*\*\*National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). The importance of greenspace for mental health. _Scientific Reports, 13_, 12571. Retrieved from[ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5663018/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5663018/)

\*\*\*\*Nature Publishing Group. (2017). Seeding units: A novel approach to coral reef restoration using 3D-printed settlement substrates. _Scientific Reports, 7_, Article 17555.[ https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-17555-z](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-17555-z)

\*\*\*\*\*Landscape Architecture Foundation. (n.d.). Scioto Mile and Greenways. Retrieved July 13, 2024, from[ https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/scioto-mile-and-greenways](https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/scioto-mile-and-greenways)



Embracing Biodiversity Fosters Climate Resilient Cities

Roads and [railways](https://www.earthhero.org/act/13-take-train-or-bus-instead-of-plane) empower human mobility, but they also divide natural landscapes making it difficult for wild animals to move freely in search of food, water, shelter, and mates. Migratory species travel long distances seasonally for survival, and even species that do not migrate often need wide ranges to thrive. Shifts in habitats and food supply caused by climate change make it even more important for animals to access different environments. Wildlife crossings provide safe paths for animals to navigate a landscape increasingly altered by humans.

Green bridges are built over roads and highways and designed to look like the natural landscape. They are often covered with soil and native plants to encourage animals to use them. The Netherlands has constructed over 600 wildlife crossings\*. For example, the Natuurbrug Zanderij Crailoo is a green bridge that people can [walk](https://www.earthhero.org/act/552-within-walking-distancequest-walk!) and [bike](https://www.earthhero.org/act/8-bike-instead-of-drive) across which also helps animals like deer and badgers move safely between sections of a nature reserve. Connecting otherwise separated populations of animals allows those animals to maintain a healthy population.

Australia has another kind of wildlife bridge that caters to the annual migration of millions of red crabs in Christmas Island National Park. These crabs travel from the forest to the beach annually to dig burrows for mating. Crab bridges assist them in crossing roads safely. Barriers are strategically placed along the crabs' natural paths to direct them towards the bridges, making their migration safer from vehicles.

Wildlife crossings can also be underground. The Henry Street amphibian tunnel in Massachusetts provides a safe passage under the street allowing salamanders to reach their breeding area. Before this tunnel was built, local volunteers carried the salamanders across the road in buckets. The volunteers helped the salamanders maintain a large breeding population until the amphibian tunnel was constructed.

When animals can select from a larger pool of mates, their offspring have greater genetic diversity. That diversity increases the chances that some individuals will have genes resistant to certain diseases or environmental stresses, helping maintain the overall health of a species. This allows populations to respond to changes, such as shifting climate and new diseases, keeping species robust and adaptable. A diverse gene pool also reduces the risk of genetic disorders caused by inbreeding.

The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Las Angeles California aims to be the largest wildlife crossing in the world when completed in 2026. This overpass will help mountain lions, deer, and smaller animals like bats and lizards move safely across the 101 Freeway. The project was inspired by a mountain lion named P-22 who garnered media attention by crossing 10 lanes of traffic on one of LA’s largest freeways. People were moved by the story of this creature whose range was so fragmented compared to his ancestors, and he became a local celebrity. Unfortunately, an injury from a collision led to his untimely passing. P-22’s story highlighted the need for safe wildlife passages and motivated the community to begin thinking of wild animals as their neighbors and [donate](https://www.earthhero.org/act/659-donate-to-an-environmental-cause) to the Wildlife Crossing project.

Keeping wild animals off the road is also safer and more cost-effective. The US Department of Agriculture estimated that wildlife collisions in the United States result in 26,000 human injuries and 200 human deaths costing Americans $8 billion per year\*\*.

**HOW WE ALL CAN HELP**
Support initiatives that will address the need for animals to cross roads. This will reduce collisions by lowering the chances of encountering an animal while [driving](https://www.earthhero.org/act/20-drive-more-efficiently). Slowing down when driving through wildlife crossing zones also lowers the risk of accidents.

We can also be wary of building new roads, especially because cars and roads take up so much space while cutting up our wilderness areas. Especially because [adding more lanes and roads does not improve traffic conditions](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/07/why-traffic-cant-be-solved-with-just-adding-more-highway-lanes.html). Plus it wastes our taxpayer money.

Another way to help wildlife move safely in your region is to support projects like the [Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing](https://101wildlifecrossing.org/supporters/). Community donations play a significant role in building and maintaining these connective pathways. One of the most important steps you can take is to advocate for policies that protect animals and request that wildlife crossings be included in local transportation planning. An easy way to start is by following conservation-focused groups from your country on social media. Often these organizations update their audience about pending laws and suggest opportunities to [reach out to lawmakers](https://www.earthhero.org/act/180-write-your-representatives/) or [comment on government regulation](https://www.earthhero.org/act/197-comment-on-government-regulation).

Wildlife crossings benefit both animals and humans by promoting safety, preserving biodiversity, and enhancing genetic diversity. By embracing these structures in your area, you can help ensure a healthier, more connected natural world for future generations.

\*“Wildlife Crossings.” [nationalgeographic.org](http://nationalgeographic.org), Accessed 22 June, 2024, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/wildlife-crossings/

\*\*“Highway Crossing Structures for Wildlife: Opportunities for Improving Driver and Animal Safety.” [Fs.usda.gov](http://fs.usda.gov), Accessed 22 June, 2024, https://www.fs.usda.gov/psw/publications/documents/psw\_gtr271/psw\_gtr271.pdf


The Road to Reconnection: Wildlife Crossings Address Habitat Fragmentation

33 Psychological Barriers to Climate Change Action

When was the last time you saw a butterfly? Not just a quick glimpse, but a real moment where you watched its colorful wings fluttering in the air. It's a question worth asking, because the fact that we see fewer and fewer butterflies tells us something is wrong with our world.

Since the 1970s, a lot of butterfly species have been disappearing. For instance, one famous butterfly, the monarch, is in big trouble. It used to be a symbol of nature across the globe but now it's struggling to survive because its homes are being destroyed and it's getting hotter. In just ten years, its numbers have dropped a lot, for instance, a report by the Centre for Biological Diversity revealed that over the past two decades, monarch butterflies have declined by 90% since the 1990s.

To further corroborate this, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2021, classified the migratory monarch butterfly as endangered and added it to the Red List of Threatened Species. The IUCN's declaration of the monarch as endangered serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need for action to safeguard these iconic butterflies. When experts say the monarch is in danger, it's like a big warning bell ringing. This tells us we need to act fast to save these beautiful creatures. It's not just monarchs in trouble; other insects are also struggling because of bigger problems with the environment.

The decline in butterfly populations is attributed to several interconnected factors. One, as we know, is climate change. As temperatures rise and weather patterns change, primarily due to burning oil and gas, it affects the places where butterflies live, find food, and reproduce. This is especially tough on migrating butterflies like the monarch. In some places, it gets too hot and dry, making it hard for butterflies to survive.  This crisis might be our last chance to save some of the world's favorite butterfly species. But even though we know how important it is, some governments still haven't done enough to protect them and phase out oil and gas faster.

Human encroachment is also to blame. We are cutting down forests, building cities, and expanding farms, which harms butterfly habitats or destroys them altogether. Butterflies need specific places to live, lay eggs, and eat, so losing these habitats hurts their populations. When we upset the balance of nature by destroying habitats and changing the climate, it affects the variety of plants and animals in an area. Butterflies depend on a variety of plants for food and shelter, so when we reduce the number of plant species, it hurts butterfly numbers too.

The chemicals we use to kill pests and weeds also harm butterflies. They kill the plants their babies need to eat. For example, using weed killers can wipe out milkweed, which monarch caterpillars rely on for food. We therefore need to embrace sustainable farming practices by reducing reliance on harmful pesticides and herbicides. 

Invasive Species are also a threat. When non-native plants take over an area, they can crowd out the plants that butterflies need to survive. This disrupts their homes and makes it harder for them to find food and shelter.

The monarch's struggle shows us a bigger problem of the broader challenges facing biodiversity worldwide. Losing so many plants and animals could threaten the services that ecosystems provide to humanity, such as clean air and water, fertile soil, and climate regulation.

But there's some hope. To tackle the decline of butterflies, we all need to take action on multiple fronts. We can help the monarchs by planting more of the plants they need to survive (see these Actions: [Plant milkweed](https://www.earthhero.org/act/455-plant-native-milkweed), [Plant a pollinator friendly garden](https://www.earthhero.org/act/405-plant-a-pollinator-friendly-garden) and [Start or join a community garden](https://www.earthhero.org/act/474-start-or-join-a-community-garden)). For instance, native plants such as milkweed, lavender, coneflowers, and other butterfly-friendly species can provide essential food and habitat for butterfly larvae and adults so we do not end up being the last ones lucky enough to enjoy their beauty.

Also, cutting down on greenhouse gasses, using land in sustainable ways, and spreading awareness about why butterflies are important in our ecosystems. By working together, we can help ensure that these beautiful insects stick around for generations to come.


The Missing Butterflies: A Silent Alarm for Our Future

Climate change is real and so is climate distress.

The condition is exactly what it sounds like – distress over climate change. It encompasses two related terms that are perhaps used more frequently: climate anxiety and climate grief, according to New Hampshire psychiatrist Dr. Robert Feder, a member of the steering committee of the [Climate Psychiatry Alliance](https://www.climatepsychiatry.org/).

“Climate anxiety refers to concern and worry about things that could happen in the future. Things that people are worrying about that are going to happen due to climate change,” said Feder. “And climate grief refers to grief and despair and feelings of loss over things that have happened. Losses that have already occurred in the environment due to climate change.”

The symptoms are also somewhat distinct, he noted. Similar to other forms of anxiety, climate anxiety can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate, or difficulty falling asleep. The symptoms of climate grief are more like those of depression, including lack of energy or appetite, difficulty concentrating, or feelings of pessimism.

“If you’re really experiencing climate anxiety or climate grief, you know it,” Feder said.

Recognition of these specific conditions is relatively new. The term “climate grief” is largely attributed to researchers Ashlee Cunsolo and Neville Ellis in a 2018 paper published in the journal _Nature Climate Change_: [“Ecological grief as a mental health response to climate change-related loss.”](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-018-0092-2)

“We argue that grief is a natural and legitimate response to ecological loss, and one that may become more common as climate impacts worsen,” the authors wrote.

Polling in the United States suggests these conditions are already common. Sixty-eight percent of adult respondents to a [December 2019 poll for the American Psychological Association](https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/02/climate-change) (APA) cited having some level of “eco-anxiety”. Among adults age 18-34, 47% reported that their lives on a day-to-day basis were impacted by climate change-related stress.

As the concept of climate grief is so new, much about it remains unknown, according to [a 2020 article from the APA](https://www.apa.org/members/content/climate-grief). Part of that is because it is not connected to a fixed point in time, in the way people grieve the loss of a loved one.

“Climate grief is different from the grief we experience in other circumstances. First, climate grief is usually more ambiguous. Uncertainties, such as not knowing specific impacts and when those impacts might occur, make it hard for us to emotionally tolerate a situation,” ecopsychology researcher Shawna Weaver, Ph.D. author of the book _Climate Grief: From Coping to Resilience and Action_, told Earth Hero. “Because climate change comes with a lot of ambiguity, it causes even more anxiety and a difficult path through the grief process, and also makes it easier for people to deny it (which is the first stage of grief),” she added.

There is also no “norm” to return to from climate grief, Weaver said. The changes to the planet, ultimately, impact all people.

Among those who may be at greatest risk for suffering from this form of grief, the APA article says: children and teens, who will live with the effects of climate change for decades; climate activists and scientists, whose daily lives are intertwined with the crisis; and people who work closely with the land and are more likely to notice negatives changes happening. Feder also noted climate refugees, who have personally experienced a climate disaster.

How, then, to face climate distress?

Weaver and Feder discussed similar approaches: focusing on relaxing, using techniques such as meditation; going into nature; exercise; maintaining social and familial connections; and particularly taking some form of action on the climate crisis.

“We increase our dopamine and endorphins by taking action, creating community, building on successes, accomplishing tasks, and moving our bodies,” Weaver said. “If you are experiencing climate grief or anxiety, find a local cause directly related to that anxiety, and get involved. It won't just help you emotionally, it will move the dial on the very source of that pain.”

On his [Climate & Mind](https://www.climateandmind.org/) website, Seattle psychotherapist Andrew Bryant discusses the value of therapy for people suffering climate grief, particularly providers who specialize in climate-related mental health issues. He acknowledges that the number of these therapists remains limited; the Climate Psychology Alliance North America maintains a directory of [”climate-aware” therapists](https://www.climatepsychology.us/climate-therapists).

While stating that there is no firm data, Feder guessed that the percentage of people suffering from climate distress who need professional mental help could be about 10%. That would be at the level where the condition is causing them to isolate from friends and family and impeding their ability to work, he said.

The Climate Psychiatry Alliance advocates for greater awareness of issues related to climate change in the mental health community, including by partnering with the Climate Psychology Alliance North America on a program to train psychotherapists to become [climate-aware therapists](https://www.climatepsychiatry.org/register-as-a-climate-aware-therapist). The organizations also hope this type of training will eventually be incorporated into all psychiatry residency training programs, Feder said.

However, there will never be enough mental health professionals to help everyone suffering from climate distress, he added. One alternative approach being developed is “transformational resilience”.

“This is really a public-health type of approach to the problem, where entire communities are treated in a proactive, preventative type of way, where they hopefully can get education about resiliency methods, prepare for what they can do or what to expect in their particular community about climate problems or disasters, and build up their own cognitive abilities and social abilities to be able to deal with these issues so they can prevent the more severe forms of climate anxiety and grief before they happen,” he said.

Legislation was introduced last year in the [Senate](https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1452) and [House of Representatives](https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3073/titles) to strengthen these programs, including by competitive grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both versions of the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act remain in committee.

Looking to get involved? Earth Hero encourages [actions](https://www.earthhero.org/act) to help fight the climate crisis, including through individual and group [advocacy](https://www.earthhero.org/act/category/advocacy-and-choice). A simple action related to [getting outside](https://www.earthhero.org/act/category/outside) could be a great place to start.


Facing the Mental Toll of Climate Change

Scientists have [confirmed](https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/) that current global warming is human-caused and not a natural fluctuation in climate, and that the rate of warming is faster than anything seen in the previous 10,000 years.  

Human-caused climate change began during the Industrial Revolution when humanity began to burn fossil fuels - oil, coal, and natural gas - to produce more energy. Since the Industrial Revolution, we have been using increasing amounts of energy in order to keep up with consumer demand and sustain an economic system based on infinite growth. 

The gases from burning oil, coal, and natural gas are released into the atmosphere, trap heat from the sun, and in turn warm the planet. This is called the greenhouse effect. The most problematic gases are carbon and methane. They stay in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. 

As global temperatures rise, they are altering the conditions of the atmosphere, oceans, and other ecosystems. This will lead to increasingly frequent and extreme wildfires, droughts, floods, heatwaves, and extreme weather events. These are causing food and water shortages, climate migrations, and damage to infrastructure, which will worsen as long as we continue on with business as usual. Climate and ecological breakdown threatens the health, safety, and survival of human and nonhuman life. 

_Floods and Storms_

Earth's lower atmosphere is warming because of fossil fuel emissions. Because warm air holds more moisture, this is leading to increasingly extreme floods, storms, and weather events.

_Droughts_

While some areas will experience flooding, others will experience drought. It’s also possible for an area to alternate between periods of flooding and drought. Warmer temperatures enhance evaporation that dries out soils and vegetation. Changes in the jet stream from warming global temperatures are also reducing rainfall in certain areas. 

_Wildfires_

With worsening droughts, trees and underbrush are drying out. This process creates conditions that make wildfires easier to start, spread, and harder to contain. 

_Heatwaves_

Climate change is leading to more frequent, longer, and intense heat waves. It has increased the size of stalled high-pressure weather systems called "blocking events”, which can produce deadly and long-lasting heat waves.

_Sea Level Rise_

Warming temperatures from burning fossil fuels is causing glaciers and ice sheets to melt and break apart, with the danger of completely collapsing and elevating sea levels enough to destroy and displace island and coastal communities, including major cities like Miami. 

_Sixth Mass Extinction_

We are in the middle of the sixth mass extinction, the first mass extinction caused by human behavior. The current rate of extinction is tens to hundreds of times higher than the average over the past 10 million years. Its main drivers include destructive land and sea use, direct exploitation of plants and animals, global warming, pollution, and invasive species. The sixth mass extinction threatens the biodiversity and ecosystems that humans rely on for survival. 

**Tipping Points**

Human-caused global warming from the burning of fossil fuels is triggering the Earth’s tipping points. These include the melting of glaciers and sea ice, die-off of the Boreal & Amazon rainforests, melting permafrost, coral reef die-off, loss of aerosols & cloud cover, and warming, acidifying oceans. Healthy ecosystems either act as carbon sinks or deflect sunlight, and are necessary to keep the Earth cool. 

Once several tipping points are triggered, it could lead to a cascade effect, triggering other tipping points and irreversibly transitioning the Earth into a state of runaway heating that is outside of human control. This would lead to what climate scientists call an ‘uninhabitable hothouse Earth.’ 

Some tipping points have already been triggered by global warming, while others won’t be triggered until warming worsens. 

**Timeline**

Humanity has a limited window of time left to transition off fossil fuels before we trigger irreversible tipping points and lose the ability to avoid runaway heating. 

The goal of the Paris Climate Agreement is to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius and decrease atmospheric carbon below 350 parts per million (ppm), considered the safe zone for maintaining a safe and habitable planet. To do this we basically need to cut climate pollution in half by 2030. 

The Earth has already heated 1.3 degrees Celsius since the Industrial Revolution. Extreme weather events and tipping points are happening faster and with more extremity than scientists projected, suggesting that we need to speed up our transition off fossil fuels and onto renewable sources of energy.

UN secretary Antonio Guterres is calling for First World countries to [reach net zero emissions by 2040](https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1n/k1n4wutrw2#:~:text=I%20urge%20governments%20to%20make,close%20as%20possible%20to%202050.) and countries who emit less to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

**Solution**

Although our situation is dire, we know the solutions and we [still have time](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/03/20/climate-change-ipcc-report-15/) to act. The solution to climate change is to stop burning coal, oil, and natural gas for energy and make a global transition to renewable energy. Renewable energy includes solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal. 

In order to avoid ecological collapse, which is as important to human flourishing as climate change, we need to protect at least 30-50% of the land and water, which are critical carbon sinks, and stop consuming more resources than the Earth can safely regenerate. 

We still have time to take collective action in order to maintain a safe and habitable planet. Humanity is being given the opportunity to create a green and flourishing world that considers all life.


Climate Change and Solutions

**The Amazon Studios documentary film Burning explores the sociopolitical, historical, and scientific causes of the harrowing Australian bushfires of 2019 and 2020, in what has become known as “Black Summer.” Directed by Academy and Emmy-award winner Eva Orner, the film opens with clips of climate change protests, smoke, fire, and a grim overview of the delicate state of the Australian bush. As the word “Burning” comes on screen, the audience is told that “the greatest tragedy of the Australian brushfire season is that we saw it coming.”**

The Australian director combines interviews with climate change activists, fire survivors, scientists, and politicians to contextualize how 59 million acres burned. Greg Mullins, the former Fire and Rescue Commissioner of New South Wales, says, “I feel like we’ve just been sleepwalking into catastrophe.” Mullins is a recurrent face and voice throughout, as is Marian Wilkinson, an author and journalist, who introduces the political sparring: “There has been a concerted effort to undermine the science of climate change.” Australia, as the largest exporter of coal and gas, has reason to undercut climate science. In August 2018, when a conservative government took power under the leadership of Prime Minister Scott Morrison (the antagonist and villain of the story), their first order of business was pushing aside the climate commission.

Mallacoota resident Jann Gilbert, a fire victim who lost her house, says, “I did not predict how brutal the fires were going to be as the summer went on. It rocked Australia to the core.” Images of the 200-foot flames blaze across the screen, along with newspaper headlines, photos of destruction, and satellite images of the smoke spreading across the continent. Foreboding music amplifies anxiety. “The biggest red flag went up when the rainforest was burning,” says Gilbert. “Those forests have never burned.”

There are moments when the film overdramatizes. The accounts themselves are powerful, as are the images and facts. But it is, unfortunately, a narrative about the horrors of climate change and the political forces at bay that has been told before. Orner’s major struggle is battling against a jaded and desensitized viewer.

The film shifts to firefighters and news reports. Thousands of tourists become trapped on a beach as the fire encircles them. Brian Ayliffe, who has been fighting fires for 60 years, says, “They attacked it with bombers, large air tankers. It didn’t matter what they did; [the fire] worked its way down the coast.” All of this unfolds as the Prime Minister vacations with his family in Hawaii. Orner emphasizes this by displaying Morrison’s family vacation photos. This, the viewer is reminded, is a political story. There is a face to blame.

The viewer is reminded, as ecologist Mark Graham says, that “we’re bearing direct witness to so many processes of change playing out around us. We’re essentially right in the middle of this stretch of some of the oldest forest on the planet, unchanged for tens of millions of years. Through continents splitting apart, asteroids hitting the earth, those trees have been like an ark through time and space…The fires of Black Summer burned into these ancient refuges.”

The residual trauma from the fires is apparent. The wind is a reminder to many victims: “You could hear it,” says one survivor. “It was like a dragon.” The soot came ahead of the fire in Mallacoota, which turned a morning sky black. Camera phone footage at 9:13 a.m. shows total darkness before the sky transforms into an intense red. “It was like being on a plane that was going down,” says another survivor. “The roar and the noise of it was horrendous. I just called it a vicious monster.” The psychological damage becomes clearer as Michael Harrington, from Cobargo, discusses flashbacks. Birds drop dead from the sky. Insidious smoke invades Sydney for months. New Year’s is celebrated while the Cobargo burns. Roads are littered with dead kangaroos. It looked “like a nuclear bomb has gone off.” Pregnant women had “grey, crumbly, disgusting placenta” from constant smoke inhalation. One woman says, “This origin of life is this canary in the coal mine.”

The film pans out again, emphasizing the scale of the fires, which formed their own weather systems as smoke columns went 10 to 12 kilometers into the atmosphere. The fires created their own thunderstorms, sending fire-starting embers up to 30 kilometers away. The audience is told that 21 percent of the Australian bush burned: “we’ve entered a new era.” The fires burned more than 10 times more than they had ever burned before. Driving through New South Wales for hundreds of miles, all you see is blackened earth—“like walking out into the apocalypse.” Prime Minister Morrison goes to Cobargo and starts taking selfies, smiling, until a local yells, “You’re not welcome you fuckwit!”

Just when the trauma, pain, and destruction begin to anesthetize the viewer, Orner changes the chorus by offering a glimmer of hope. Australians take to the street and demand change—the sentiment embodied in the young activist Daisy Jeffrey. As COVID hit, Australia declared a pandemic 12 days before world health organization. The right-leaning government seemed to become socialist overnight. There was hope that actions might be taken on climate change. Instead, Morrison spoke about a gas-led recovery.

Daisy Jeffrey’s story is a story of national change: her grandfather was a coalminer in a family of coalminers. The myth of a reliance on fossil fuels is challenged by her, and by tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, who describes climate change as “the existential crisis of the human race.” Cannon-Brookes is attempting to build the world’s largest solar farm in Australia and then export that renewable energy through a network of cables from Australia to Asia.

At the end, Greg Mullins comes back into view: “We’re having fires in Greenland, the Arctic Circle—places where we never had them before,” he says. “Climate change scares the shit out of me…We need to learn together again how to really manage this land at that very large scale. This is the critical moment for humanity.” The film ends familiarly: a black screen before the credits is the backdrop for the following in white lettering: “Prime Minister Scott Morrison declined to be interviewed for this film.”


Resilience

Adapt to climate impacts, care for your mental health, and help your community weather the future.