My name is Marco and I live in Bologna, a historic city in northern Italy, located in the Po Valley. There’s a lot of life in the streets of my city, and I can see it’s the same here.

I’ll have a lot to tell my friends at school when I return!

Before this trip, we talked a lot about climate change at school. Sometimes all that information has made me feel worried, or even anxious—has that ever happened to you?

The good thing is that I can now recognise this feeling and do something about it.

Climate change and mental health

Climate change doesn’t only affect our physical environment—it can also influence how we feel. Have you experienced any of the following?

Climate anxiety

Worry or distress related to the effects of climate change, stemming from uncertainty about the future and awareness of environmental risks.

Solastalgia

The sadness or distress people feel when the environment where they live changes or deteriorates due to environmental problems.

What can we do?

Climate anxiety can make us feel powerless, not knowing what to do. That’s why identifying these emotions helps us understand what is happening to us and empowers us to take action.

I recommend:

Identifying and recognising emotions related to climate change.

• Thinking about small actions we can take in our daily lives to help the planet.

Sharing ideas and actions with friends, family, classmates or colleagues.

Taking part in community activities or volunteering related to the environment.

Talking in groups about how climate change makes us feel.

And the letter I give you is
“M” for Marco!