Exploring the emotional experiences and coping strategies of sustainability change agents
View Emonet XII Paper Presentation “Exploring the emotional experiences and coping strategies of sustainability change agents” by Russell & Victoria (2020) now.
Live Paper Discussion Session Time: Thursday, 9th July 2020, UTC 12:00
Zoom Meeting ID: 994 6110 5530
Authors:
Sally Russell, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
Stephanie Victoria, United States
Abstract:
Managing future climate impacts requires an effective and emotionally resilient workforce to successfully embed sustainable changes within wider society. Sustainability change agents are subject to stressors that are considerably unique to their profession; Not only do they deal with a substantial workload and stakeholder apathy, but they must also personally navigate the stress-inducing, existential threat of climate change. Findings from in-depth interviews with sustainability change agents identify how change agents use three different coping mechanisms including emotion-focused coping (‘Rational Avoiders’), problem-focused coping (‘Committed Go-getters’) and meaning-focused coping (‘Green Philosophers’). These findings, supported by observed physiological indicators, confirm that sustainability change agency is indeed an emotionally laden profession, and our research calls for further work to help sustainability change agents avoid potential burnout and continue to contribute to the future health of the planet while at the same time maintain their personal wellbeing.
Contact:
Sally Russell, S.Russell@leeds.ac.uk
Stephanie Victoria, smarievictoria@gmail.com