An impassioned generational perspective on how to stay sane amid
climate disruption.
Climate
and environment-related fears and anxieties are on the rise
everywhere. As with any type of stress, eco-anxiety can lead to lead
to burnout, avoidance, or a disturbance of daily functioning.
In
Generation Dread, Britt Wray seamlessly merges scientific
knowledge with emotional insight to show how these intense feelings
are a healthy response to the troubled state of the world. The first
crucial step toward becoming an engaged steward of the planet is
connecting with our climate emotions, seeing them as a sign of
humanity, and learning how to live with them. We have to face and
value eco-anxiety, Wray argues, before we can conquer the deeply
ingrained, widespread reactions of denial and disavowal that have led
humanity to this alarming period of ecological decline.
It’s
not a level playing field when it comes to our vulnerability to the
climate crisis, she notes, but as the situation worsens, we are all
on the field—and unlocking deep stores of compassion and care is
more important than ever. Weaving in insights from climate-aware
therapists, critical perspectives on race and privilege in this
crisis, ideas about the future of mental health innovation, and
creative coping strategies, Generation Dread brilliantly
illuminates how we can learn from the past, from our own emotions,
and from each other to survive—and even thrive—in a changing
world.