A visual aid for enhancing our comprehension of emotions related to climate issues.
A Finnish researcher has created a visual tool to foster deep discussions about the emotional aspects of the climate crisis.
Each day, we encounter a multitude of headlines that highlight the gravity of the climate crisis. However, there is often less focus on the emotions stirred by these existential threats, whether they emerge from news reports or community experiences, and how we can navigate these feelings with compassion and care.
The Climate Mental Health Network, a resource dedicated to fostering conversations on this subject, has introduced the Climate Emotions Wheel. This tool features four color-coded quadrants, symbolizing anger, positivity, sadness, and fear, each containing specific emotions such as outrage, panic, empowerment, and inspiration.
Dr. Panu Pihkala, an adjunct professor of environmental theology at the University of Helsinki, collaborated in designing the wheel, drawn from his decade-long exploration of our emotional responses to climate change.
“Research has shown how beneficial it can be to articulate your emotions, even in broad strokes,” Pihkala explains. He highlights the long tradition of utilizing emotion wheels in social psychology, therapy, and counseling. “This practice helps individuals respond constructively to their feelings. For instance, if one experiences fear, they can ask themselves, ‘What can I do with this feeling?’”
Each emotion on the wheel is paired with a reflective question to guide users in understanding their feelings more deeply. For instance, for the emotion ‘empowerment,’ one might ponder: “When and where have I felt empowered in climate action, and how can I recapture that experience?”
Yet, not every prompt encourages immediate action. For the feeling of ‘worry,’ users reflect on: “What level of worry is constructive? When might I find myself veering into excessive rumination?” For ‘loss,’ the question is: “How can I honor my feelings of loss?” Pihkala gently reminds us that we cannot always be in ‘action’ mode lest we risk burnout, a challenge many environmental advocates have faced. Prioritizing self-care is essential.
Dr. Panu Pihkala has dedicated ten years to studying emotional responses to the climate crisis. Image: Uzi Varon
The wheel allocates just one quadrant to positive emotions. Was this a deliberate choice to acknowledge the seriousness of our circumstances? Pihkala observes that positive emotions, in general climate research, are not recognized as often as their counterparts: “Given the magnitude of climate change as a threat, it’s only natural that the emotions most frequently highlighted tend to be the more challenging ones.”
He emphasizes the necessity of reevaluating the notion that only positive emotions are valuable. Negative emotions can profoundly influence our lives. “While sadness from loss may feel heavy, it can aid in adapting to change and foster gratitude for cherished memories or what remains,” he explains. “Imagine knowing that bird species are dwindling; in hearing a bird sing, you might simultaneously feel sadness and gratitude for that fleeting moment.”
Reinventing the wheel: the Climate Emotions Wheel
Shankar Narayan, a writing instructor and environmental activist based in the U.S., employs the Climate Emotions Wheel in his classes. He recently reframed a course on ‘climate grief’ to ‘climate emotions’ to capture the “whole spectrum” of feelings we experience. He finds the wheel invaluable for teaching, as it validates a wide range of emotions surrounding climate change—beyond grief—to include empathy, hope, and empowerment.
It creates a space to explore multiple, seemingly contradictory truths, allowing a deeper exploration of our emotions.
Consider the beauty in a moment where, upon hearing birdsong, you may experience both sadness and gratitude for being present in that experience.
Though primarily utilized in North America thus far, the wheel has now been made available in 30 languages, and Pihkala harbors hopes for its broader dissemination.
While he recognizes potential challenges to the tool’s acceptance in the U.S. context, particularly from those skeptical of climate science, he remains hopeful. Research suggests that a significant percentage of young people globally feel apprehensive about the future due to the climate crisis. Pihkala envisions that engaging with the wheel can assist young individuals—and all of us—in recognizing and navigating their emotions with greater understanding.
He stresses the importance of grassroots efforts, especially in these uncertain times. Personally, he finds inspiration through the diligent work of many individuals dedicated to climate solutions. “I draw strength from each encounter with people contributing to climate matters from diverse fields and locations.” When managing his own emotional landscape, he finds that balancing his activities can be beneficial—especially since the pandemic. “Engaging in music, spending time outdoors, and being around children” enriches his spirit.
Pihkala emphasizes the significance of connecting with the natural world. “Every morning, amidst my research, I take a walk in the nearby forest, practicing a form of tai chi and opening my senses to the life surrounding me. This nurturing practice revitalizes my energy and allows my emotions to flow freely.”
Main illustration (on the blue background) by Pâté
