Australia's National Climate Risk Assessment has painted a grim picture of the country's future climate, even under conservative estimates. The report highlights the emotional toll of climate change, particularly on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have a deep connection to their land. This connection makes them more vulnerable to feelings of eco-grief or eco-anxiety, which is the sense of hopelessness regarding environmental degradation.

D'harawal man Gregory Andrews, a former Threatened Species Commissioner, now runs an environmental consultancy. He expressed the emotional impact of climate change on Indigenous communities, stating, "Ecological grief hits us really hard, deep in our hearts. Our relationship to country really is like family, so when we see it changing from climate change or from habitat degradation, it really hurts deeply." Andrews has experienced mental health challenges in the past and credits caring for his family's bush property as a significant part of his recovery. "The beautiful thing is every time I did it, I went into a deep sense of flow," he said. "That feeling and you lose track of time, I found it incredibly healing."

Andrews and his family have engaged in activities such as removing weeds, planting native species, and conducting traditional cool burns. He believes that people across Australia can also find healing through caring for the land. "If you look after country and if you connect to country, then you belong to country. And when we look after country, it looks after us," he said.

The concepts of Landcare, self-care, and caring for country have been declining over the past few centuries. Research shows that spending time in nature not only enhances well-being but also encourages individuals to give back to the environment. Landcare is a community-led organization dedicated to caring for Australia's natural landscapes, drawing on First Nations practices and knowledge.

Wally Bell, a Ngunnawal Elder and former board member of Landcare ACT, emphasized the benefits of caring for the land. "Caring for country is good for everyone's wellbeing; you're being social, physical, and it benefits the environment," he said. He noted that there are over 6,000 Landcare groups across Australia, including more than 100 in Canberra, which have been running nature well-being programs. These programs have shown that 91 percent of participants felt their mental health improved.

Bell encourages those feeling anxious to connect with nature. "If you're feeling a bit anxious then go to a local park or a quiet place in nature, close your eyes and listen to the country. Practice the 'three Ls': look, listen, learn; that's how you can slow down and care for country and yourself."

The impact of climate change is also evident in the aftermath of the Black Summer bushfires, which devastated Gamilaraay country in northern New South Wales. In 2022, the Nucoorilma clan returned to their land for the first time since the fires. Dr. Kisani Upward, a Gamilaraay Wiradjuri woman, observed the family's reconnection with their land. "It was incredibly powerful to see that reconnection and healing in real time," she said. The Elders shared knowledge about the land, including where to find ochre veins, creating a transformative experience for the younger generation.

Dr. Upward's research focuses on the connection between First Nations peoples and their land, linking it to mental health. She described a phenomenon known as Solastalgia, which refers to the feeling of loss or homesickness for one's natural environment. "Country is part of us; it is intertwined, interconnected with our minds, our bodies, our souls, our spirit," she said. Dr. Upward now applies her research to her own well-being, emphasizing the importance of maintaining positive social and emotional health. "It's incredibly important to maintain positive social emotional wellbeing, not only for Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples, but it's a practice that can be adopted by everyone."