SESD, Macy 1995

What questions are raised over the future?

Questions over whether there will be many generations to come

What emotions are associated with the climate crisis?

Sorrow, anger, fear etc about the climate crisis and what the future may look like for the next generations in that regard

How are humans described in relation to the Earth?

Humans are key components of the Earth, thus we feel its trauma deeply

How do humans experience environmental harm?

When the Earth sickens, we feel acute disturbance at a semiconscious level

What internal conflict do humans experience about climate change?

Humans are caught between fear for the future of the Earth and fear of acknowledging it

What are the three psychological strategies in response to climate crisis?

Disbelief, denial, and double life

What is disbelief in climate psychology?

Many manifestations of the climate crisis become normalised over time, making urgency hard to perceive

What is denial in climate psychology?

The crisis is terrifying so people reject or avoid acknowledging it

What is “double life” in relation to climate change?

Living as if nothing has changed while knowing everything has changed

What is theodicy?

The problem of reconciling the existence of evil with an omnibenevolent God

What is the inconsistent triad?

A logical problem involving God being all-good, all-powerful, and evil existing simultaneously

What fears are associated with climate awareness?

Fear of pain, appearing morbid, appearing stupid, guilt, causing distress, provoking disaster, appearing unpatriotic, religious doubt, appearing too emotional, feeling powerless

What are “despair work” or “deep ecology workshops”?

Community therapy aimed at healing society’s relationship with the Earth

What is the purpose of despair work?

To heal society’s emotional relationship with the Earth

What does environmental pain represent?

That caring for the world is natural and healthy

Why does public apathy occur?

Fear of experiencing and expressing emotional pain

What are the five principles of empowerment?

Pain for the world is natural; pain is only morbid if denied; information alone is not enough; releasing feelings restores clarity; unblocking pain reconnects us to life

What does “despair is a measure of humanity” mean?

Emotional pain reflects our capacity to care

How is despair described emotionally?

Despair is dynamic and flows through us once experienced

What is catharsis?

Releasing repressed emotions to restore clarity and energy

What does environmental despair show?

Our interconnectedness with the natural world

What is the Living Web of Natural Systems?

A view of nature as interconnected wholes rather than separate parts

How has science changed in this view?

From studying parts to studying wholes and processes

What is general systems theory?

An approach that studies systems as interconnected wholes

What is positive disintegration?

Letting go of former ways of understanding

How is power commonly misunderstood?

As power over others

What is the correct definition of power?

The ability to effect change

What is synergy?

Power with, not power over

How is power described metaphorically?

Power is like a verb that happens through us

When do we experience power?

When we engage in interactions that produce value

What is the difference between force and power?

Removing rights is force, not power

How does pain relate to power?

Pain for the world can open us to power

Who does this power belong to?

It belongs collectively, not individually

Why is separation of humans harmful?

It encourages competitive and isolated thinking rather than interconnection

What approach should replace fragmented thinking?

Integrated and synergistic thinking

How does empathy extend to the Earth?

We feel pain for other humans, so we can feel pain for the Earth

What does it mean to be part of the “web”?

Humans are not only part of it but actively weave and shape it further