I 100% agree David, we are apex predators abusing the planet, destroying the environment and exterminating countless species including our own if we don't turn this around. I too am frustrated with the lack of awareness and attention to this bigger picture. Unfortunately the media reflects our society and most people just aren't ready to face this reality. I guess i feel my job when approached by the media is to gently make links between climate change/ecological devastation and human mental health... and to give people practical tips so calm their nervous systems and perhaps give them a chance to reflect on the underlying causes and what we need to be doing about it (note i invariably raise the bigger picture factors but these are generally not reported, or the conversation is re-directed). Onward with the cause!!
An equally frustrated and angry eco-psychologist!!
Ps I would welcome the opportunity to get together about how we can address this denial in Aotearoa - from politicians downwards. Many of course are worried about climate change and ecological devastation, but don't know what to do. I believe the answer lies at community level... a few of us are working on this via the psych society and other groups.
I like your point about calming people so they can reflect - opening the space for the deeper and wider conversations. I agree that this is a good strategy in many contexts.
I guess that I feel this immense urgency to move beyond personal suffering into the collective and ecological. I don't think we have time for 'gentle' approaches anymore.
In some ways, I think the suffering (and the frustration and anger) is helpful. I like the idea (from my friend Mark Skelding) of reframing trauma as *feedback* - of depersonalising it into an ecological context.
I would love to connect more deeply here in Aotearoa specifically, but have found the community quite diffuse and - although I hate to say it - a bit shallow! I think this is mainly due to the dominant/popular narrative of "ecotherapy" as just being about going outside to help us feel better.
Perhaps we should convene a gathering in Auckland? I know some folks who would be very interested - and I am certain you know lots more!??
I think we're on the same page David. Our body responses (eco-stress, anxiety, trauma, grief etc) are clearly a message that all is not well with our world. More and more people are experiencing these and becoming viserally aware that something needs to change.
Joining the dots with all the people who are working in this area as well as those concerned seems the way forward.
Perhaps we could have a zoom call in the first instance?
I 100% agree David, we are apex predators abusing the planet, destroying the environment and exterminating countless species including our own if we don't turn this around. I too am frustrated with the lack of awareness and attention to this bigger picture. Unfortunately the media reflects our society and most people just aren't ready to face this reality. I guess i feel my job when approached by the media is to gently make links between climate change/ecological devastation and human mental health... and to give people practical tips so calm their nervous systems and perhaps give them a chance to reflect on the underlying causes and what we need to be doing about it (note i invariably raise the bigger picture factors but these are generally not reported, or the conversation is re-directed). Onward with the cause!!
An equally frustrated and angry eco-psychologist!!
Ps I would welcome the opportunity to get together about how we can address this denial in Aotearoa - from politicians downwards. Many of course are worried about climate change and ecological devastation, but don't know what to do. I believe the answer lies at community level... a few of us are working on this via the psych society and other groups.
Thanks for your comment, Jackie.
I like your point about calming people so they can reflect - opening the space for the deeper and wider conversations. I agree that this is a good strategy in many contexts.
I guess that I feel this immense urgency to move beyond personal suffering into the collective and ecological. I don't think we have time for 'gentle' approaches anymore.
In some ways, I think the suffering (and the frustration and anger) is helpful. I like the idea (from my friend Mark Skelding) of reframing trauma as *feedback* - of depersonalising it into an ecological context.
I couldn't agree more that the answer is community. Hence my work here and on the Fire Circle (https://www.ecoselflearning.com/communities/Q29tbXVuaXR5LTY2NQ==).
I would love to connect more deeply here in Aotearoa specifically, but have found the community quite diffuse and - although I hate to say it - a bit shallow! I think this is mainly due to the dominant/popular narrative of "ecotherapy" as just being about going outside to help us feel better.
Perhaps we should convene a gathering in Auckland? I know some folks who would be very interested - and I am certain you know lots more!??
Well said David, thank you.
I think we're on the same page David. Our body responses (eco-stress, anxiety, trauma, grief etc) are clearly a message that all is not well with our world. More and more people are experiencing these and becoming viserally aware that something needs to change.
Joining the dots with all the people who are working in this area as well as those concerned seems the way forward.
Perhaps we could have a zoom call in the first instance?
Yep, good idea. Will DM you.