Exploring the Emotional Impact of Record-breaking Climate Events

Dr. Britt Wray is a science communicator and the author of two books. Her latest is Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Anxiety, which is a national bestseller. Dr. Wray is also the director of CIRCLE (Community-minded Interventions for Resilience, Climate Leadership, and Emotional wellbeing) at Stanford Psychiatry, a research and action initiative in the Stanford School of Medicine. Her first book, the Rise of the Necrofauna: The Science, Ethics, and Risks of De-Extinction was named a best book of 2017 by the New Yorker. She most recently is a top award winner of the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications, which was bestowed upon her by the National Academies in partnership with Schmidt Futures.

Climate change evokes a myriad of emotions unique to each individual. It can stir outrage in some, sadness in others, a sense of helplessness for some, and dread for the future in others. There is no universally right or wrong reaction, as our responses are shaped by our distinct relationships with the world and the diverse circumstances in which we live. The perception of climate change varies; for some, it may feel abstract, while for others, the impacts are undeniably profound and far-reaching.

But as Dr. Wray points out, we know that climate change as we are experiencing it is anthropogenic, meaning it's the result of human behavior. And yet so little has been studied about the human behavioral response to climate change. How do we individually and collectively feel about climate change, and what do those feelings drive us to do? This is the sweet spot of Britt's work.

In this episode, we cover: 

• An overview of Dr. Wray's research on climate distress
• Her work as the Director of CIRCLE (Community-minded Interventions for Resilience, Climate Leadership, and Emotional Wellbeing) at Stanford Psychiatry
• An overview of climate anxiety and its impact on people
• The concept of solastalgia and broken record, record breaking
• The importance of community and social connections in addressing climate anxiety
• The need for evaluation and evidence-based interventions for climate anxiety
• Including behavioralists and psychologists when addressing climate change
• The potential role of guilt in motivating action on climate change
• The impact of climate change on reproductive decisions and parenting
• Dr. Wray's book and newsletter
• The importance of open and vulnerable conversations about climate change

Episode recorded on Jan 29, 2024 (Published on Feb 26, 2024)

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant