Mental Wellness in the face of Climate Change: a Let's Talk panel hosted by Bedford 2030

Dr. Davino participated in Bedford 2030's Let's Talk event at the Bedford Playhouse in Bedford, NY on June 11th alongside Drs. Joseph Taliercio and Eric Lewandowski. The three speakers discussed emerging research on the psychological dimensions of climate change, especially on low-income and other marginalized communities both in the US and globally. In addition, the panelists presented strategies for building psychological resilience in the face of growing climate anxiety and climate grief, and shined a spotlight on some other unique stressors climate change places on mood, sociality, and behavior. Finally, the three researchers spoke on a panel together to address the audience's questions and responses to the presentation.

Climate change and mental health

As the changing climate rapidly stresses global ecosystems and human infrastructure, it also places great strain on our mental and emotional well-being. Dr. Lewandowski's presentation highlighted the growth of climate anxiety, climate grief, climate apathy, and climate despair among American youth. This collection of negative anticipatory feelings that has begun saturating many young people's mood has sometimes been called "solastalgia," or the directionless pain one feels in a changing world. Dr. Lewandowski's research addresses how people grieve the ongoing loss of their collective future. In helping people confront their solastalgia, Lewandowski hopes to grant young people the agency to find what they can control and act on their values and long-term goals.

Dr. Taliercio's research concerning the effects of prolonged exposure to extreme heat on mental health outcomes reveals a sobering public health dimension to our worsening global climate crisis. According to Taliercio, extreme heat exacerbates the symptoms of many psychiatric disorders. Extreme heat also decreases memory for events, and increases impulsive behavior and aggression. These effects are felt especially within urban centers, where limited foliage and large, flat asphalt areas such as parking lots can further raise temperatures in what is known as the "urban heat island effect." Dr. Taliercio's research is thus essential in identifying vulnerable populations in this emerging public health crisis.

Dr. Davino presented on strategies for combating climate apathy, whether it arises through decision paralysis or the denial of urgency. Her presentation offered various tips on finding equanimity, including a practice of attending to one's inner emotional world, challenging distorted cognitions about climate with evidence, and acting according to one's values. Davino identified action, acceptance, and adaptation as three broad strategies for building the emotional resilience necessary to stay active in the battle against climate change.