Eco-anxiety and Hope

  Panu Pihkala, Ph.D. Adjunct Professor of Environmental Theology (Title of Docent), University of Helsinki, Finland   For the Futures Committee of the Finnish Parliament A hearing of experts, Sustainability Transitions in everyday life 11th June 2021   VNS 3/2020 vp Valtioneuvoston selonteko kestävän kehityksen globaalista toimintaohjelmasta Agenda2030:sta Kohti hiilineutraalia hyvinvointiyhteiskuntaa [The Finnish Government and the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development]     Emotions and everyday life in relation to sustainability transitions   Various psychological and social factors contribute to sustainability transitions in everyday life. Psychosocial research that looks at these factors is an internationally emerging multidisciplinary field of research. [1] Included are complex questions about change, motivation, and decision-making. In short, people want a way out of feelings of guilt and desire an experience of social ac...

A national project 2020-2022 With the lead of Mental Health Finland (Mieli ry), three NGOs applied and received funding from the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health for a multiyear national project about eco-anxiety. This is a highly exciting project and one in which I have been much involved in, both in the preparation of the application and now as an advisor. The year 2020 was a tough one to start such a project, with COVID-19 pandemic reigning, but in winter 2021 the project has really kicked off. The two other organizations behind the project are Nyyti ry , an old NGO focusing on mental well-being among students, and the brand new Tunne ry , which was founded to develop resources for encountering eco-anxiety and other ecological emotions. The national project published its website  in winter 2020, offering information both for the general public and for various professionals. The project organizes peer groups, educates professionals, and raises awareness among th...

Four videos are free to watch on the University of Helsinki "tube". I made these originally for students of psychology in Spring 2020, but they serve a wide audience.  1) Climate anxiety What are eco-anxiety and climate anxiety?  What kind of manifestations and symptoms may be included? Emotions and climate anxiety People who are especially vulnerable or exposed to climate anxiety The need for a systemic approach, which takes into account social factors and justice issues You can watch the 27-minute lecture here 2) Coping with climate anxiety Coping theory and resilience theory Susanne Moser : emotionally wise climate communication Maria Ojala's application of coping theory for climate crisis Varieties of resilience, including emotional resilience ( Davenport ), transformational resilience ( Doppelt ), and existential resilience (Pihkala) Insights from ecopsychology ( Macy & Johnstone; Greenspan) Tips for coping (climate psychology organizations) You can watch the 15...