Climate Change and Happiness

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Season 3, Episode 19: Healing from Moral Injury with Caroline Hickman

Thomas and Panu had a new dialogue with UK Climate Therapy expert Caroline Hickman to discuss the concept of moral injury in relation to climate distress and its impact on people’s sense of meaning and trust. The conversation delved into feelings that arise in situations where one’s values are compromised and the impacts to relationships (e.g., feeling let down, betrayed, or having feelings denied). Caroline emphasized the need to differentiate between toxic and healthy guilt, to “locate guilt where it belongs,” and the importance of reparation and saying sorry on the part of people in power (with the example of former New Zealand Prime Minister  Jacinta Arden). Panu noted that engaging in a survivor mission and taking action can provide a sense of purpose and contribute to addressing moral injury. Join us for reflections on responsibility and healing amidst a changing climate.

Takeaways

• Moral injury is closely related to climate distress and involves the damage to an individual's values and morals.

• Moral injury can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy, as well as a breakdown of trust in relationships.

• It is important to differentiate between toxic and healthy guilt and to locate guilt where it belongs (e.g., with societal decision makers, and those in power).

• Reparation and saying sorry can help in the healing process and the recovery of trust.

Links

• Being a Therapist in a Time of Climate Breakdown, edited By Judith Anderson, Tree Staunton, Jenny O’Gorman, Caroline Hickman

• Caroline Hickman (2024): Eco-Anxiety in Children and Young People– A Rational Response, Irreconcilable Despair, or Both? 

• Caroline on our podcast, Season 3, Episode 8: Supporting Young People with Caroline Hickman

• Jacinta Ardern’s Ifoga (“sack ceremony”) in apology for New Zealand government’s Dawn Raids era against Pacific Island immigrants

• Greenpeace Nordic and Natur og Ungdom (Young Friends of the Earth Norway) Legal Victory  

• Anto Cartolovni et al 2021 Moral injury in healthcare professionals: A scoping review and discussion

Transcript

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image credit | Jonathan Kemper

Season 3, Episode 18: Finding Your Place and Digging in

In this episode, Thomas and Panu discuss the importance of finding a place, digging in, and taking responsibility in the face of climate change and environmental issues. They explore the idea of being a creator or actor rather than a passive consumer and the significance of having short-term and long-term goals. Our missions take place in a web of relationships with humans and more-than-humans. Panu and Thomas also touch on the connection between climate change and death, and the need to engage with difficult topics. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the concept of non-action and the importance of mindfulness.

Takeaways

• Don’t try to be everything. Be “good enough.” 

• Recognize that your mission will naturally change and evolve once you commit to action. 

• Be a creator or actor or worker inspired by climate change, in your own way. 

• Once you have your own thing to do, you don’t need to chase the news about every issue. 

Soundbites: 

• “Find your place on the planet. Dig in, and take responsibility from there.” — Gary Snyder

• "Climate change is like a red blinking light that reminds us of our own mortality."

• "Don't just be a consumer, be a creator or actor."

Transcript

[The Climate Change and Happiness Transcript is on holiday.]

image credit | Dan Meyers

Season 3, Episode 17: On the Good Grief Network with LaUra Schmidt

Thomas and Panu were joined by LaUra Schmidt, co- founder of the Good Grief Network and co-author of How to Live in a Chaotic Climate. Laura shared her journey of combining her background in biology and environmental studies with trauma healing and psychology to address the emotional toll of climate change. She, Panu and Thomas discussed how the 12-step inspired Good Grief program helps individuals process their grief and find resilience about climate breakdown in a safe and supportive environment. Along the way, they looked deeper at the process of steps like accepting the severity of the environmental predicament, being with uncertainty, and honoring mortality; and the importance of peer support, accountability, and finding one's unique way of taking action. Join us for an inspiring conversation!

Links

• LaUra Schmidt, Aimee Lewis Reau and Chelsie Rivera (2023). How to Live in a Chaotic Climate

• Good Grief Network

• Early version of the Good Grief Steps

Transcript

[The Climate Change and Happiness Transcript is on holiday.]

image credit | Georgy Trofimov

Season 3, Episode 16: Nature in Your Life with Thomas and Panu 

In this episode, Thomas and Panu discussed some real-world aspects of nature and our relationship with the natural world, including different values associated with nature and other species, such as scientific, ethical, relationship and  experience-based values. Thomas illustrated a spectrum of nature settings, from virtual nature such as art and images in the home, to nearby nature in our communities, to wild and protected places – with opportunities to be a cosmopolitan traveler between these contexts. The conversation evolved into a recognition of nature (in Finnish luonto) as an infinite set of processes and relationships, with nature settings being a doorway or threshold into the interconnectedness and interdependence of all beings. Panu and Thomas also touched on the concept of the “more than human world” (inspired by eco philosopher David Abram) and the need for “recollective practices” (inspired by ecopsychology theorist Andy Fisher) to connect with nature and counteract the divisive aspects of modern technological society.

Takeaways

• It is helpful to think of nature not as a thing, but rather a process and set of relationships that is constantly changing.

• There are different values associated with nature, including cultural, ethical, and experience-based  values.

• The spectrum of nature settings ranges from virtual and indoor nature to wild nature, and each setting offers unique opportunities for connection.

• Recognizing the essence of a place and its history in deep time can deepen our understanding and appreciation of nature.

• Nature is interconnected and interdependent, and recognizing our place in the web of life is essential.

• Recollective practices can help us connect with nature and cope with difficult emotions related to climate change.

image credit | Aleksandra Sapozhnikova

Season 3, Episode 15: Radical Joy in the Midst of Environmental Grief with Trebbe Johnson

Panu and Thomas had an inspiring dialog with vision quest facilitator Trebbe Johnson, founder of Radical Joy for Hard Times. They discussed the concept of radical joy in the face of environmental grief and the importance of acknowledging and confronting our sorrow for the natural world. Trebbe shared her personal journey of connecting with nature and how it led her to create an organization that focuses on finding joy and gratitude in damaged places. Panu and Trebbe also discussed their time together in Finland in November 2023 and the workshops they led. 

Key Takeaways

• Radical joy can be found in the midst of sorrow and grief for the natural world.

• Acknowledging and confronting our grief for damaged places allows for a deeper connection and the possibility of transformation.

• Engaging in rituals and practices that honor and give back to hurt places can bring about a sense of joy and gratitude.

• Continuing bonds with nature, even in the face of loss and change, can help us navigate the ongoing challenges of climate change.

Links

• Trebbe Johnson

• Radical Joy for Hard Times

• Trebbe Johnson Books  

• Global Earth Exchange

Transcript

[The Climate Change and Happiness Transcript is on holiday.]

image credit | Johannes Plenio

Season 3, Episode 14: Meaning in Life and Meaning of Life

In this episode, Panu and Thomas reflected on ways to find a sense of meaning during an era of climate breakdown and other stresses. This can include meaning in your life (such as values that guide you) and meanings of and about your life (your purpose and reasons for living, such as caring for family). Their conversation ranged over profound topics like figuring out a life path, dealing with changes and threats, and the importance of opening up and asking big questions about meaning and happiness. Join the conversation! 

Transcript

[The Climate Change and Happiness Transcript is on holiday.]

image credit | Sage Friedman

Season 3, Episode 13: On the “Waking Up Syndrome” with Linda Buzzell

Summary

In this wide-ranging dialog, ecotherapy pioneer Linda Buzzell looked back on her history including her early environmental awakening working with French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, her training in Marriage and Family Therapy and systems thinking, and her local activism in Santa Barbara, California. Linda described the development of the “Waking Up Syndrome” concept of sudden ecological awareness with her colleague Sarah Edwards and creation of  the Ecotherapy anthology with Craig Chalquist. She, Thomas and Panu also discussed the distinctions between human-centered and nature-centered ecotherapy perspectives and the need for community-level approaches. 

Links

• Linda Buzzell

• Sarah Edwards and Linda Buzzell (2008) The Waking Up Syndrome, (See also Linda Buzzell (2009) on  The Waking Up Syndrome)

• Linda Buzzell & Craig Chalquist (2009) Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind

• Pacifica Graduate Institute (2023) Advanced Training Certificate in Ecotherapy: An Interview with Linda Buzzell, LMFT

• Scott Ordway (composer) Beyond Rain. See our podcast episode with Scott. 

• David Key and Keith Tudor (2023) Ecotherapy: A Field Guide 

• Erin Blakemore (2021) 5 ways Jacques Cousteau pushed to protect the planet. National Geographic. 

Transcript

[The Climate Change and Happiness Transcript is on holiday.]

image credit | Thought Catalog

Season 3, Episode 12: On Literature and Activism with Matthew Schneider-Mayerson

Thomas and Panu had a wide ranging and stimulating dialog with Matthew Schneider-Mayerson, an associate professor of English at Colby College whose work touches on the cultural and political dynamics of climate change with a focus on literature and climate justice. Matthew shared his environmental identity “origin story” including his early anti-sweatshop activism and discovering Elizabeth Kolbert’s classic climate change narrative Field Notes from a Catastrophe while waiting in his therapist's office. We discussed insights from his projects like the Ecotopian Lexicon and thoughts about helping his students create rituals together to show value for nature and the more-than human world.  

Links

• Matthew Schneider-Mayerson

• An Ecotopian Lexicon: 

• “Fire souls” Swedish: eldsjäl  – Finnish: tulisielu

• “The Environmental Politics of Reproductive Choices in the Age of Climate Change.” Environmental Politics 31.1 (2022): 152-172

Transcript

[The Climate Change and Happiness Transcript is on holiday.]

image credit | Jonatán Becerra

Season 3, Episode 11: Panu’s New Research on Ecological Sorrow

What kinds of losses do we experience due to environmental problems, and how can we understand the unique feelings of grief and sorrow that can ensue? Panu talked about his recent research paper, Ecological Sorrow: Types of Grief and Loss in Ecological Grief, that applied general knowledge about grief to ecological sorrow with more nuance than has previously been attempted. Thomas shared his reactions and the duo discussed ways to cope with issues like invisible losses that are “disenfranchised” and not officially recognized by society, and situations when people are not allowed to openly express their grief and sorrow about nature. Panu’s work reveals how ecological losses can be hard to measure and seemingly never ending, which makes ideas like “nonfinite loss” and “chronic sorrow” very relevant. Thomas and Panu shared ways to face ecological loss and grief in a healthy way, and invited listeners to reflect on their own feelings and ways of expression.  

Links

• Panu’s research article: 

• Pihkala, P. (2024) Ecological Sorrow: Types of Grief and Loss in Ecological Grief. Sustainability 16.

• You’ll find all the key points in this image!

• Climate Change and Happiness episodes

• A New Perspective on Eco-anxiety and Grief

• When Grief Is A Barrier To Enjoying Time In Nature

• On the Birth of Climate Therapy with Rosemary Randall

• Varieties of Hope with Guest Elin Kelsey

Transcript

[The Climate Change and Happiness Transcript is on holiday.]

image credit | Taras Chernus

Season 3, Episode 10: A World of Emotions Words with Tim Lomas

Thomas and Panu spoke with Tim Lomas, an emotions researcher and author of works like Translating Happiness: A Cross-Cultural Lexicon of Well-Being and The Positive Power of Negative Emotions, who has been influential on the field of positive psychology and on our podcast. It’s always enlightening to hear about a thinker’s background. Tim shared a bit of his story including an influential time spent in China at age 19 that exposed him to Buddhist and Daoist ideas that he continues to explore in his positive psychology research. The discussion touched on the benefits of the unique “granular,” that is specific and nuanced, nature of certain emotions words that can be complex and challenging to translate outside of their native language (such as Finnish sisu, Japanese wabi-sabi or Portuguese saudade). We can use a global palate of emotions to shine a light on our relationships with nature and the natural world, including our joys, hopes, and fears. 

Links

• Tim Lomas

• Translating Happiness: A Cross-Cultural Lexicon of Well-Being

• Positive Power of Negative Emotions

• John Koenig: The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows 

• Understanding “Second Wave” Positive Psychology (from Wikipedia)

Transcript

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