The phenomenon where scientists, climate activists, and afflicted citizens experience sorrow over ecological collapse is called Ecological - or climate - Grief. Aptly so: it has been described as "the grief felt in relation to [...] ecological losses, including those of species, ecosystems, or landscapes due to [...] environmental change" (Cunsolo, Ashlee; Ellis, Neville. "Hope and mourning in the anthropocene: Understanding ecological grief"). An often-cited example is the despair of marine biologists and conservationists at the gradual death of the Great Barrier Reef. 

Ecological grief is expected to be on the rise as  our environment shifts more visibly and more people become invested in securing a sustainable future. This raises immediate concerns with regard to mental health management; however, it also calls for a radical shift in climate leadership.

Activist circles, scientists, citizen initiatives and the vast areas where those groups overlap have two things in common: first, their goal of protecting the planet, and second, the need to organize, distribute tasks, and support each other. Softening the blow of climate grief requires us to uplift and empower each other, to develop new approaches to leadership and more powerful actions of solidarity. 

The following are questions an effective leader should ask themselves in the context of ecological grief:

- Which members of my community are affected the most, and why?

- How are the tasks I assigned them influencing their morale and perspective? 

- Who can cover for them while they seek help with their mental health?

- How do we, as a community, shield those vulnerable members until they are in a position to confront climate grief successfully?

The above questions can help shape more efficient leadership models. This is achieved by mindfully delegating responsibilities to each member of your group according to their strengths and their sensitivities, and always prioritizing their well-being.