Debra Davidson

Professor of Environmental Sociology at the University of Alberta

The first trigger to any form of social action begins with emotions. They influence whether and how our attention is drawn to stimuli, how we reflect upon those stimuli, and choose courses of action. Emotions are thus at the center of social responses to climate change. In this presentation, we will do a deep dive into the study of emotions, and how they bear upon personal and collective responses to the climate emergency, organized by four prevailing behavioural responses: apathy, denial, withdrawal, and action. Better understanding of the emotional foundations of behavioural responses can inform strategic efforts to enhance engagement in climate change mitigation, adaptation, to support the low-carbon transformation of our social systems.