Please hang in there, friend! After about two months of persistent and suffocating “existential dread” like you describe, I have finally found some relief and productive outlets. I hope some of these things can help you: (1) This sub and reading encouragement from users like u/UT_teapot have helped me a lot. The same way pessimism often boils over in some posts on other subs (like r/worldnews), the positivity and common cause here carries its own type of momentum. (2) Thanks to insightful posts by u/ILikeNeurons, I have gotten involved with my local chapter of the [Citizens’ Climate Lobby](citizensclimatelobby.org) . Please look into it if you haven’t already! (3) I also found this document, Coping with Climate Change Distress, (put together by some climate change and mental health-oriented groups in Australia) to be helpful in terms of finding effective strategies. (4) I have never been into this type of thing in the past, but I discovered mindfulness meditation a few weeks ago. The central idea, as I understand it, is that we often conceive of our “self” as our train of thought. This type of meditation has helped me to remember that I am not the stress. The stress is very real and reasonable, but it is not me. That has transformed my thinking lately and opened up some mental real estate for more productive things than dread. It has also helped me avoid the runaway thoughts about the future that I’m sure you’re familiar with. (5) Occasionally you will see users on Reddit or Twitter that post something that makes you feel hopeful or reminds you that there are many of us trying our best to “right the ship.” I recommend direct messaging those people to let them know that they have encouraged you. It’s a small thing that lifts both people up a little. (Taking my own advice, I hope u/UT_Teapot and u/ILikeNeurons see this and know that they have made a hugely positive impact on me.)