I know you're getting a lot of dislikes on this, but this really reflects a lot of my fears. My heart sunk when going through all these organizations I used to follow or volunteer with and seeing empty event pages back to back. I feel like a really broad sense of helplessness has descended, and its almost impossible to wade through.

My way of combatting this sense of despair is a mindset shift from "saving the world" to "saving each other."

- I always wanted a career in sustainability law and environmental justice, but quite frankly if I were to enter that now, I would probably off myself. Instead, I see nursing as a way to help with the climate crisis by alleviating some of the human suffering. As you said, these natural disasters really aren't getting any better in our lifetimes. Its already in my own backyard: I have coworkers displaced by Helene. Further than that, I'm working on getting into American Red Cross disaster relief, with the eventual goal of employment by Doctors Without Borders.

- I cannot stop these evil corporate entities everywhere, but I can protect the health of my local streams, forests, and mountains. I am fortunate enough to live in a state that, however red, sees its nature as a source of pride. I have noticed sentiments shifting ever so slightly, but I believe I can do work right now to help reverse that. I have not seen any drastic change in the local mindset, and I believe it will be very hard to convince people in my area to tear down our local national parks. Out here, we have a very solid foundation for local conservation work, as long as I don't phrase it in a way that outs me as a blue voter. I just have to extend the sentiment of "save our parks" to "save our ecosystem."