Complex dynamics of climate emotions among environmentally active Finnish and American young people

Abstract

Climate emotions have become an increasingly salient issue since the beginning of the 2000s. This paper draws on data from in-depth interviews from the United States (USA) and Finland to provide insight into the complex dynamics of climate emotions in 23 environmentally active young people in these two countries. The analysis centers on two main themes: (a) complex dynamics of climate emotions and (b) identities and felt social expectations. The results support recent research about the importance of anger, grief, and guilt as very common climate emotions among active people, although a broad range of emotions was recognized by the participants. Some observations were made about the role of cultural factors in these two countries. Through this analysis, this article contributes to the understanding about the ways in which identities and felt social expectations shape climate emotions, including feelings of inadequacy and obligation. Analysis of the experiences of this limited number of young people shows the prevalence of feelings of inadequacy and thus supports the recent arguments about the need to provide young people tools to set their responsibility in context, in order to avoid negative consequences of the felt pressures.

Eco-Anxiety: An Evolutionary Line from Psychology to Psychopathology

“…Furthermore, the authors did not rigorously ask every question to every participant, but considerable space was given to explore the emerging new themes regarding emotions towards the climate. The findings showed an association with climate emotions in young Americans: their emotions about climate change, such as anger, pain, and guilt, were very common [4]. Gunasiri et al (2022) showed the positive impacts of the climate on feeling optimistic in quantitative and qualitative studies.…”

“…-Residence: Alpine region -Sex: male [4] This study examined the factors associated with climate emotions in young Americans.…”

“…The idea that climate change is due to human activities, and that this change can harm us and future generations, could be closely related to the rise of a set of new, complex emotions that has gained more and more relevance in people's everyday lives. Climate change is not just a matter of global warming: it is about all the new challenges that our ecosystem must face, threatening our mental health, such as the increasing risk of an extinction domino effect [2], the amplification of climate change threats like droughts, soil impoverishment with consequent starvation, and migration [3,4]. Describing the effects of climate change on mental health is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century.…”

Eco-guilt and eco-shame in everyday life: an exploratory study of the experiences, triggers, and reactions

“…If a participant used these words, however, the interviewer mirrored their language and understanding of the emotions. Second, the interview topic can be challenging when participants find it difficult and uncomfortable to reflect upon and speak about such emotions (Coppola and Pihkala, 2023). With this in mind, it was important for the interviewer to navigate, and sometimes avoid, blatant feelings and expressions of guilt or shame.…”

Itsekasvatus ja kontemplaatio ekokriisiajan kasvatuksessa

“…Kasvatustieteellistä ja yhteiskunnallista keskustelua 2020-luvulla raamittaa enenevissä määrin huoli ympäristön heikentyvästä tilasta, kiihtyvästä ilmastonmuutoksesta ja koko ihmiskunnan sosiokulttuurisesta hyvinvoinnista (ks. Värri 2018;Pulkki 2021;Joutsenvirta & Salonen 2020;Salonen & Bardy 2015;Coppola & Pihkala 2023). Kasvatustiede ei ole oppia ympäristöstä, mutta silloin kun puhutaan ihmisen tarpeesta muuntautua selviämään uudenlaisessa maailmassa, joka on biodiversiteetiltään köyhempi ja luonnonresursseiltaan huvennut, ollaan kasvatustieteen ydinalueilla.…”