Nature is being lost at an alarming rate with one in six species in the UK at risk of extinction. The climate crisis is causing unpredictable weather like extreme heat and flooding. It's impacting the plants we love, where we can live and grow food, and our mental health.

It's natural to feel scared or angry about what's happening to our world. Many of us, especially young people, say that climate change and biodiversity loss are taking a toll on our mental wellbeing. We call these challenging emotions about environmental destruction eco-anxiety. This can make it sound like an illness, however recognising the reality of the crisis is a natural and healthy response. While these feelings can be difficult, being aware of the crisis does mean you can start to do something about it.

We need more spaces for recovery and resistance. Places where we can connect with nature, ourselves and other people, and come together with others to care for nature. This field hospital is one of those places.

Everyone is different, how you connect with nature and build resilience should feel right for you. You can take our suggestions, make them your own, or come up with something yourself.

Make room in your life for nature. Seek out spaces for recovery and resistance. Find places to take in the plants around you. Notice how they make you feel.

Nurturing this connection can help reduce stress and improve wellbeing. Whether it’s caring for a houseplant, going for a walk in the park, or listening to the sounds of nature. There’s not one way to do it, or one thing that will fix it. You can feel the effects of biophilia wherever you are.

Nature can relieve our suffering, but nature is suffering too. Caring for nature can relieve eco-anxiety as much as connecting with it. Building resilience is about finding the right balance for you.

Taking action to protect nature can provide a sense of agency that helps alleviate anxiety about environmental destruction. You could start small by planting wildflowers for pollinators, switching from plane trips to train trips or by writing to a politician to protect a local nature spot.

Find a group that is taking action for nature, such as a community garden or climate campaign. Connecting with people who share your concerns can help ease feelings of despair and anxiety. Working together to take action means you can have a bigger impact and help you feel empowered in the face of the climate and nature crisis.