Solar panels are one idea money from the Horizons climate response fund could be used for, says Keith Beautrais. Photo / File
Action in response to climate change could be an antidote to the anxiety and despair brought on by Covid-19 and other global problems, a local environmentalist says.
Bushy Park educator Keith Beautrais has lauded a new Horizons Regional Council fund offering grants of up to $15,000 for groups or individuals to carry out climate change resilience projects.
The new Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi/Community Climate Response Fund opens on April 1.
The projects applying for grants need to attempt to make a community resilient to climate change or shift it toward a low carbon economy.
Getting active on climate change will be good for mental health, and "bring people back to the most important threat to our futures", Beautrais said.
Temperature increases of 15C were being recorded in Antarctica while Covid-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have been depressing distractions from climate change, Beautrais said.
"The antidote is a good dose of nature and finding an action that you can take.
"It doesn't solve a huge issue by itself, but it makes people feel they are part of a solution."