Climate of Emotions: A Pilot Study on Transforming Climate Emotions into Resilience

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Abstract

This paper presents a theoretically grounded psychological intervention and a pilot study examining its impact during NYC Climate Week. The study investigated the effects of emotional intelligence (EI) skill development on climate emotions, specifically climate isolation, climate anxiety, climate powerlessness, and climate enthusiasm, during a three-hour workshop. Participants (N = 37) engaged in storytelling, creative expression, and design thinking exercises to address the emotional toll of the climate change crisis by applying EI skills in order to build resilience and prevent activist burnout. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected using an abbreviated Inventory of Climate Emotions (ICE), along with participants’ reflective statements on resilience. Quantitative analyses (MANOVAs, mixed-effects modeling) showed significant post-intervention decreases in climate isolation, climate anxiety, and climate powerlessness, and an increase in climate enthusiasm. These changes remained significant after adjusting for baseline emotional states. Qualitative analysis of the reflective statements identified five resilience themes: cultivating self-worth and inner strength; connecting and building community; personal agency and action; balancing self-care, vulnerability, and emotional growth; and fostering hope and a positive outlook. The organization of these themes suggests a progression from inner development to outward engagement. Conducted in a real-world climate youth leadership context, this pilot study offers preliminary evidence that EI training can reduce psychological burdens and build resilience, warranting further study in broader populations.

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