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Writer's pictureDeborah Punton

Active Hope and Ecopsychology

In my journey toward understanding the intersection of self-care and climate action, I've realized that maintaining our well-being is essential for fulfilling our potential and constructively impacting ourselves, society, and the planet. This perspective underpins my SOS Eco-Resilience Masters in Ecopsychology project. I declare self-care as a climate action.


Many individuals grapple with uncomfortable feelings when confronted with climate change, often perceiving a lack of action in others as apathy. However, it's crucial to consider that others may be experiencing burnout or feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the crisis. We can channel our strengths and passions into actions that benefit ourselves, others, and the environment, even if these actions don't fit conventional definitions of "climate action."

Defense Mechanisms in People Regarding Climate Change

While biases can hinder a sense of collective responsibility, it's important to recognize that not everyone exhibits these tendencies; many individuals actively engage in climate action. Understanding these psychological factors can assist advocates in developing effective strategies for communication and engagement across diverse audiences. The Active Hope book touches on some human defence mechanisms:

  • Confirmation Bias:

    • Individuals often seek out information that aligns with their existing beliefs and values.

    • Those who strongly identify with certain political ideologies or economic systems may reject climate science that contradicts their views.

    • This behavior can be seen as a self-preservation and unconscious coping mechanism.

  • Cognitive Dissonance:

    • Accepting the reality of climate change can create discomfort due to its threat to current lifestyles.

    • To alleviate this discomfort, some may downplay or reject evidence of climate change.

    • This reaction can also be viewed as a form of unconscious self-preservation.

  • Temporal Discounting:

    • Humans tend to prioritise short-term gains over long-term benefits.

    • Addressing climate change often requires immediate sacrifices and long-term planning, which can be challenging due to societal rewards for immediate gratification.

    • Discussions around delayed gratification can be framed in a non-threatening manner.

  • Social Norms and Conformity:

    • Human behavior is heavily influenced by social norms and peer groups.

    • If surrounded by peers who downplay climate action, individuals may perceive that taking action is unnecessary or undesirable.

    • Taking small local actions can influence others positively, reducing discomfort from discussions that may invoke shame or judgment.

  • Lack of Perceived Personal Relevance:

    • Climate change may feel like a distant problem, leading to reduced motivation for action.

    • People are more likely to recognise the need for action if they personally experience immediate consequences of climate change.

  • Psychological Distance:

    • Climate change is often framed as a complex global issue, making it harder for individuals to form an emotional connection.

    • People tend to respond more to immediate, personal threats rather than abstract, long-term problems.

Relationship of Ecopsychology to Climate Change

Ecopsychology explores the psychological connections between humans and the natural environment, emphasizing the importance of these relationships in addressing climate change. It highlights how disconnection from nature contributes to ecological degradation and the psychological distress associated with climate change. By fostering a deeper sense of ecological interconnectedness, ecopsychology can motivate pro-environmental behaviors and enhance mental well-being through nature-based interventions.


Ecopsychology and The Work that Reconnects

Ecopsychology and The Work that Reconnects share a profound connection in their emphasis on healing the relationship between humans and the natural world. Both frameworks recognize the psychological distress stemming from ecological disconnection and aim to foster a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with nature.


The Work that Reconnects, developed by Joanna Macy, encourages individuals to explore their emotional responses to environmental challenges, providing tools to transform despair into action. Similarly, ecopsychology emphasizes the importance of nurturing our bond with our Earth and beings, and promoting mental well-being through nature-based practices. Together, these approaches cultivate resilience, empowerment, and a sense of responsibility toward our planet, enabling individuals to engage more meaningfully with environmental issues and their own emotional landscapes. Active Hope and The Work That Reconnects offer simple, powerful practices and by recognising the interconnectedness emphasised in ecopsychology practices, we can move beyond feelings of anger or frustration and instead focus on how our actions—however small—contribute to a greater collective effort.



Greensong Active Hope in Action

Active Hope sessions see particpants engaged in small group discussions, exploring the book and participating in structured activities and practices that not only facilitate personal growth but also strengthen peer networks. This collective experience empowers individuals, enabling them to cultivate a deeper connection to nature and tap into the Web of Life for nourishment, healing, and wise counsel—core principles of ecopsychology.





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