Coming of Age at the End of the World: An Existential Toolkit for the Climate Generation

A youth movement is reenergizing global environmental activism. The “climate generation”—late millennials and iGen, or Generation Z—is demanding that policy makers and government leaders take immediate action to address the dire outcomes predicted by climate science. Those inheriting our planet’s environmental problems expect to encounter challenges, but they may not have the skills to grapple with the feelings of powerlessness and despair that may arise when they confront this seemingly intractable situation. This talk is drawn from Dr. Ray’s 2020 book, A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet. Combining insights from psychology, sociology, social movements, mindfulness, and the environmental humanities, the book explains why and how the climate generation (and the rest of us) needs to let go of eco-guilt, resist burnout, and cultivate resilience while advocating for climate justice.