Climate Grief

What’s the role of grief in our response to the climate crisis?

by: Jesse Miller & Stephen Waldron

June 17, 2026

I got news that the ash tree at Reba Park will probably have to come down this summer. The tree is quite old and not in good shape. We will miss the shade it provides in the summer and the beautiful yellow leaves in the fall.

Life is busy and it has been a while since I’ve written one of these Eco-Letters. I intend to keep writing them, but I’m also glad for some help. Reba Green Team member Stephen Waldron contributes this thoughtful reflection on climate grief. As always, I’ve added my recommendations of news and podcasts at the end.

Peace,

Jesse

Climate Grief

1. Our planet’s climate is changing. We (as a species, and especially those of us in a wealthy nation like the US) are responsible for much of this change. Climate change may have some positive effects (like more plant growth in some regions). But the impact will mostly be negative and destabilizing: decreased water resources in heavily populated regions, species extinctions in many different ecosystems, rising sea levels and more volatile weather patterns. We can still act to prevent some of the worst changes, and we should rejoice when people take these actions: creating renewable energy infrastructure, electrifying industrial systems, densifying population centers, building greener transportation networks, shifting toward plant-based diets.

   
   

2. Much of this is now inevitable. If humans impacting the climate are like a baker in a kitchen, we have to admit that a lot of the issue is already “baked in.” We can try to do less damage with the next mixes that go into the oven, but there are a lot of cakes in that oven that will warm our planet’s surface no matter what we do now. One natural and honest response to this is to grieve. Those who pay close attention to the lives of other species or the fates of endangered human communities often feel this grief. Entire island nations like Tuvalu are going through planned evacuations. Climate change is accelerating the “sixth mass extinction” of species. This will have negative impacts on the ecosystems in which each newly extinct species made its home.

   
   

3. Grief is a common emotional response to the impacts of climate change. Grief is a natural response to the losses caused by climate change, but theologian Hannah Malcolm asks us, “How do we know if our grief is good?” On the one hand, grief is obviously an appropriate response: Paul instructed the Roman churches to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). This follows the example of Jesus, who wept for the future suffering of Jerusalem and after the death of his friend Lazarus. Our empathy for other people and creatures naturally means that we grieve human suffering and species extinctions.

   
   

4. Grief can inspire solidarity. Our grieving for the death and destruction caused by our planet’s changing climate can move us into action. The author of 1 Thessalonians instructed early Christians to remember the resurrection and not to “grieve as those who have no hope” when their loved ones died (4:13). When it comes to death that we have caused and are causing, our grieving should be accompanied by both hope and action. Those of us who live in a wealthy and relatively democratic society have ways to respond. We should not use grief as an excuse to not respond.

   
   

5. Grief is still a legitimate response. Even as we take action, we should allow space for grief in the face of oncoming devastation. As Soong-Chan Rah has pointed out, US Christians in particular have a habit of leaping toward optimism and ignoring negative emotions. In response to injustices, we are often inclined to have a “savior complex” and think that our action is the only thing needed to turn things around. As residents of a globe-spanning empire, we easily fall into thinking that, like the Roman emperors, we can bring peace and salvation to everyone else through our own power. We need to learn from the prophet Jeremiah and from many Christians who live outside our empire to sit with grief before and while taking action.

   
   

6. Our grief should open us to others. As Hannah Malcolm observes, grief can easily become self-absorbed. Our grief over the changing climate can quickly be about ourselves or about the future experiences of our children and grandchildren. Our grief can cause us to shrivel into self-pity rather than to connect with others whose suffering will be much greater than ours. Instead, we can learn from the example of Jesus and grieve through solidarity, action, and listening to the voices of other grieving Christians around the world. Rather than being immobilized, we can continue to engage more deeply in life with others, both near and far away. We can prepare ourselves and our society for the future realities of climate migration from poorer nations toward wealthier areas with more temperate climates. There is much work to do even as we grieve real losses.

   
   

   

   There is a nest of starlings in this utility box outside our apartment. Starlings are not native and many people consider them pests, but I like to hear their vocalizations which often mimic other sounds.

A few more things

• Reba Park Native Garden Celebration. Mark your calendar for 10:00-11:30 am August 1st. Come celebrate the new native plant garden, “learn about the plants and pollinators, create part of a rotating art installation inside the garden and hang out with your neighbors. Crafts, snacks, nature activities, games and more!”

• Evanston interfaith conversation on plastics. A number of local congregations have been learning about plastics by reading Judith Enck’s book The Problem With Plastic. It would be great if we could learn about this topic together so we can collaborate with others. I haven’t read the book yet, but I did watch this interview with the author on Democracy Now!

• The pope’s new encyclical. Listen to Sam Mickey from The Forum on Religion and Ecology reflect on the new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. We’re not Roman Catholic, but this is an important statement on faith and artificial intelligence and it has implications for ecology as well.

• Renewables and faith communities. “Well-known author, journalist and environmentalist Bill McKibben shares insights on climate change, renewable energy, and the role of faith communities in fostering cultural and technological change.” (Earthkeepers Podcast)

• “A good life for the 99% isn’t a pipe dream: it can be done. Here’s how.” The Guardian reports on a new plan to confront global inequality and climate breakdown.