Reality is taking its toll on our mental health, especially among younger people who are understandably losing hope for their future on a hotter planet.

We are seeing the rise of what is known as climate or ecological grief.

This grief summarises feelings of loss, anger, hopelessness, despair and distress caused by climate change and ecological decline.

We are facing a state of continual unfolding loss, compounding impacts on our psyches.

It could be loss of animals and plants we hold dear or lifestyles we have grown accustomed to such as eating whatever we want whenever we want.

As the time length between loss and impacts shorten, personal recovery times reduce.

At the same time there is anxiety about what is still to come and there is no way to do justice to the threats we face without it being scary and provoking anxiety.

The only way you can save the planet is with relentless, stubborn optimism. This is the kind of attitude that your are culturally trained to adopt, to keep looking on the bright side and remain hopeful.

Do not give up, it is not too late, the cause could not be better.

We need to be empowered, to be fearless and take action.

One of the most important ways to take action is to vote for what matters most and to vote for parties which have clear policies to address climate change.