Britt Wray:Generation Dread How to Cope With Climate Change

The Faculty of Arts & Humanities is honoured to host Britt as part of the 2024 Robert and Patricia Duncanson Lecture, held on February 29, 2024.

This hybrid event can be attended in person at Conron Hall, University College or online via Zoom.

Britt Wray is a ground-breaking researcher and storyteller, and a growing voice around the mental health effects of climate change.

In “How to Cope with Climate Anxiety,” Britt demonstrates the emotional and existential effects of living in a warming world—and how we can get through them together. Although anxieties surrounding the climate crisis can cause us to burn out, give up, and question deeply personal decisions like whether to have children, working through these anxieties can unlock a deep capacity to care for and act on climate issues.

We need to look at the climate crisis as a whole—not just the political or technological issues, but the mental health consequences as well. These effects can be severe, even leading people affected by climate events to experience PTSD and a loss of identity. To combat this, Britt presents practical tips and strategies for healthily and productively dealing with our emotions, living with climate trauma, and strengthening our communities so we can combat climate change together.

Britt has a PhD in Science Communication from the University of Copenhagen, and she is an advisor to the Good Energy Project for climate storytelling and the Climate Mental Health Network. She’s the Director of the Chair’s Special Initiative on Climate Change and Mental Health in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of Stanford Medicine. Britt’s acclaimed book Generation Dread, about finding purpose during the climate crisis, was named a finalist for the 2022 Governor General’s Literary Awards.

Following Britt's lecture, a reception will be held in the rooms adjoining Conron Hall.

Program 4:30 p.m. – Guests arrive for in person lecture

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Lecture and live stream

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Reception

All registrants will receive the Zoom link; during the registration process you will be asked if you are attending in person (which includes the reception) or online. Should your plans to attend in person change due to illness or weather, the Zoom option will be available.

Advance registration is appreciated by February 27, 2024. The lecture will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Getting to Campus

Campus is accessible through a number of London Transit routes. View the Bike Parking Map on Parking Services website for more details. There are also bike racks found outside of Univeristy College.

Parking

Please allow sufficient time to navigate campus and find parking. The South Valley Lot, Middlesex Lot and The Springett Lots become complimentary with their gates raised at 4:00pm. Paid parking is available at the Talbot Lot as well.