The Case for Climate Hope

In the first episode in our series Climate, Hope and Science, we explore how embracing uncertainty enables us to move beyond climate anxiety and despair to hope and action, with author and activist Rebecca Solnit.

Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/y6yr2kz4

What does it take to be aware of what’s really happening, without falling into despair? How do we find hope? Do small, individual actions really matter? What happens to our minds and hearts when we connect with nature, and how can that actually protect the climate? We find the links between crisis, hope, happiness, and action.

Look for new episodes April 27 and March 11. Plus, we’ll share climate-focused Happiness Breaks in the weeks following those episodes.

Episode summary:

When you think about climate change, do you feel hope? On this episode of our special series, Climate, Hope and Science, we examine what it means to feel hopeful for the future of our planet. Renowned writer and activist Rebecca Solnit joins Dacher to share why she loves uncertainty, what gives her hope, and how hope empowers her. Later, we hear from climate scientist Patrick Gonzalez about why he believes climate hope is scientifically sound, and how much power we truly have to create meaningful change.

Today’s guests:

Rebecca Solnit is an award-winning author and activist whose works have explored numerous themes including technology, feminism, the environment and social change. Her latest book, which she co-edited, is It's Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility. https://www.nottoolateclimate.com/

Learn more about Rebecca: http://rebeccasolnit.net/biography/

Read Rebecca’s article “Ten ways to confront the climate crisis without loosing hope”: https://tinyurl.com/2p92e2h6

Follow Rebecca on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaSolnit

Follow Rebecca on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccasolnit/

Follow Rebecca on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.solnit

Patrick Gonzalez is a climate scientist and forest ecologist at UC Berkeley. His work inspired numerous policy changes focused on forestry protections around the world.

Learn more about Patrick and his work: http://www.patrickgonzalez.net/

Follow Patrick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pgonzaleztweet?lang=en

Follow Patrick on Google Scholar: https://tinyurl.com/mvn98ear

More Resources on Climate Hope:

Greater Good Mag - More Resources on Science Center https://tinyurl.com/ytna663b

University of Michigan - Climate crisis: 4 reasons for hope in 2023: https://tinyurl.com/5n7hhpu8

United Nations - 8 reasons not to give up hope - and take climate action: https://tinyurl.com/3wzrebyy

Australian Psychological Society - Coping with climate change distress: https://tinyurl.com/43jhkbjw

How do you feel when you think about climate change? Where do you derive hope? Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

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