Eco-Anxiety and Ecological Citizenship

This Open Access book offers a philosophical exploration of eco-anxiety. As knowledge about the rapidly degrading living conditions on Earth becomes more accurate, the impacts of environmental problems become more visible, and Anthropocene scenarios proliferate in films, television series, and novels, eco-anxiety emerges as a global and socially widespread phenomenon. Given the scale and severity of planetary boundary transgressions, feeling anxious about the future of human and non-human life has become a fitting emotional response. But what exactly is eco-anxiety? And how can we address its adverse effects on mental health and harness its constructive behavioural responses? This book answers these questions by developing an in-depth conceptual analysis of the notion of eco-anxiety and explaining how ecological citizenship, with its focus on hope, carbon sobriety, and courage, can help us live with eco-anxiety.

This book is open access, which means that you have free and unlimited access Develops the first book-length philosophical perspective on eco-anxiety Articulates an ethical approach to eco-anxiety with political theory and psychology Explains how ecological citizenship and green virtues can help navigate eco-anxiety

Autorentext

Michel Bourban is Assistant Professor in Environmental Ethics at University of Twente, the Netherlands.

Klappentext

“Michel Bourban has written a book that – finally – synthesizes and explains in exquisite conceptual and operational detail what we mean when we speak of ‘eco-anxiety.’ With the pressing planetary challenge of climate change driving our global anxiety about the future, this book arrives at just the right moment to both advance the dialectic and give us reason for hope.”
-John P. Allegrante, Charles Irwin Lambert Professor of Health Behavior and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, USA

“Michel Bourban’s pithy introduction is an ideal starting-point for exploring how to engage with eco-anxiety more productively to make a better world. He navigates these troubled waters with skill, sensitivity, insight and heart. I see much to admire as well as plenty of scope for further discussion and fruitful engagement in what have become vital conversations. Highly recommended.”

-**Stephen M. Gardiner**, Professor of Philosophy and Ben Rabinowitz Professor of the Human Dimensions of the Environment, University of Washington, USA

This Open Access book offers a philosophical exploration of eco-anxiety. As knowledge about the rapidly degrading living conditions on Earth becomes more accurate, the impacts of environmental problems become more visible, and Anthropocene scenarios proliferate in films, television series, and novels, eco-anxiety emerges as a global and socially widespread phenomenon. Given the scale and severity of planetary boundary transgressions, feeling anxious about the future of human and non-human life has become a fitting emotional response. But what exactly is eco-anxiety? And how can we address its adverse effects on mental health and harness its constructive behavioural responses? This book answers these questions by developing an in-depth conceptual analysis of the notion of eco-anxiety and explaining how ecological citizenship, with its focus on hope, carbon sobriety, and courage, can help us live with eco-anxiety.

Michel Bourban is Assistant Professor in Environmental Ethics at University of Twente, the Netherlands.

Inhalt

Chapter 1 Introduction: Living Beyond Planetary Boundaries.- Chapter 2 Eco-Anxiety: Understanding an Ecological Emotion.- Chapter 3 Ecological Citizenship: Addressing and Harnessing Eco-Anxiety.- Chapter 4 Conclusion.