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Turning to Nature to Process the Emotional Toll of Nature’s Destruction

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  • Ross Westoby

    (Griffith Institute for Tourism, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia)

  • Rachel Clissold

    (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
    International Centre for Environmental Management, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Karen E. McNamara

    (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia)

Abstract

As challenges emerge in the context of the Anthropocene, one often overlooked area is the emotional toll that the Earth’s destabilisation has on the human psyche. Deeper investigation into perceived “negative” emotions of the Anthropocene requires closer attention if those in highly industrialised societies, as the major contributors to the climate crisis, are to avoid collective denial and move towards transformative change. This paper aims to provide insights into these “negative” emotions that are emerging in Australia in response to changes to the biosphere and the destruction of nature, including sadness, grief, anger, frustration, and anxiety. As a way of processing these “negative” emotions, the authors find that connecting with, and being in, nature is critical. Such connection allows people to cope, renew, and heal. In this way, nature is both the trigger for, and answer to, our ecological grief, anger, and anxiety, and, as such, is at the epicentre of human emotions in the context of the Anthropocene.

Suggested Citation

  • Ross Westoby & Rachel Clissold & Karen E. McNamara, 2022. "Turning to Nature to Process the Emotional Toll of Nature’s Destruction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-8, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7948-:d:851722
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Naseem Dillman-Hasso, 2021. "The nature buffer: the missing link in climate change and mental health research," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 11(4), pages 696-701, December.
    2. Matthew I. Curnock & Nadine A. Marshall & Lauric Thiault & Scott F. Heron & Jessica Hoey & Genevieve Williams & Bruce Taylor & Petina L. Pert & Jeremy Goldberg, 2019. "Shifts in tourists’ sentiments and climate risk perceptions following mass coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 9(7), pages 535-541, July.
    3. Ashlee Cunsolo & Neville R. Ellis, 2018. "Ecological grief as a mental health response to climate change-related loss," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(4), pages 275-281, April.
    4. Lesley Head, 2020. "Transformative change requires resisting a new normal," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 10(3), pages 173-174, March.
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    1. Andy Felix Jităreanu & Mioara Mihăilă & Ciprian-Ionel Alecu & Alexandru-Dragoș Robu & Gabriela Ignat & Carmen Luiza Costuleanu, 2022. "The Relationship between Environmental Factors, Satisfaction with Life, and Ecological Education: An Impact Analysis from a Sustainability Pillars Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-25, August.

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