Climate Emotions: How Climate Change Makes Us Feel and What We Do With It

Guest Linda Aspey, Climate Psychology Alliance Hosted by Trang Dang, CIWM  Climate change is not only an environmental, political and economic challenge. It is also an emotional one. In this episode, Trang Dang speaks to Linda Aspey from the Climate Psychology Alliance about the growing field of climate psychology and the eco-emotions many people experience in response to the climate crisis, including anxiety, anger, grief, guilt and despair. They explore why these emotions can sometimes overwhelm people, but can also become a source of connection, reflection and action. The conversation also looks at the role of communication, storytelling and language in shaping how people understand climate change, and how we can talk about the crisis without deepening hopelessness or disengagement. Linda also discusses the psychological challenge of moving away from a culture built around endless growth, and toward values rooted in sustainability, wellbeing and “enoughness”. Finally, the episode considers what resilience really means in the context of climate change, and how individuals, organisations and communities can develop the emotional capacity to face an uncertain future. A thoughtful conversation about climate, communication and the inner work needed to build a more resilient society.