Emotional resilience toolkit for climate work

This toolkit was compiled by a collective of psychotherapists specializing in climate psychology in the Pacific Northwest, to provide a resource for climate activists and organizations. Persistent and effective action is essential in this time of climate crisis. But this is heart-wrenching work. Reading the scientific projections of what will come without significant change adds to these feelings.

This handbook is designed to provide emotional support, resources and tools for eco-anxiety, grief, and the range of feelings that accompany climate work. It contains simple practices designed to build emotional resilience, promote self-care, make room for safe expression of eco-grief and anxiety, and methods that support bringing our best selves to this vital work. The exercises that range from 5 – 15 minutes are organized for different age groups, and can easily be incorporated into a planning meeting, educational events and community forum.

The book is compiled by Climate Therapy Alliance (Pacific Northwest Chapter) and is available as a free download at website created by Leslie Davenport, a California based climate psychologist. She has authored books such as Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change, besides being a reviewer with the American Psychological Association, EcoAmerica and Climate for Health to help shape the document: “Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Implications, and Guidance.”

Emotional resilience toolkit for climate work