Grief & Mourning in the Age of Climate Change

What's Next?

So....What's Next?

Climate grief and mourning will undoubtedly remain important parts of my life and personal toolkit as a young climate advocate. Nevertheless, I want to ensure that the investment of time and energy I put into this senior thesis and all the sub-projects it encompasses doesn't go to waste. If nothing else, I want to share what I have learned with others who feel paralyzed by their grief and fear for their futures. I still have much to learn in terms of how to best support others while they process through their climate emotions as well as how to stay perpetually mindful of my own so they don't debilitate me.

Below I have outlined some things that I both expect to be on the horizon already, as well as things that I intend to actively pursue in order to continue growing my repertoire and capability as an advocate for climate change-related emotions.

1. Book Chapter Publishing

It is anticipated that the book in which my co-authored chapter will be in will be published by the end of 2024. Once it is published, I will get the chance to see my work alongside that of other climate advocates around the world.

2. Funeral For the Future...For the Public

In my original proposal for the Funeral For the Future, I aimed to partner with local climate organizations to make this event available for the public. 350 Seattle was one organization that I found during my research that I hoped to collaborate with in particular. This was mainly because they already have a Climate Grief & Empowerment Group (co-sponsored by Climate Action Families) the meets every month. Meaning, they are already aware of the benefits that communal mourning can offer.

While I have already attended one session put on by the Climate Grief & Empowerment Group, I plan to reach out to their facilitators to inquire about the possibility of holding a Funeral For the Future for the members of their sponsor organizations and the public in general.

3. Incorporating This Work into Future Job Opportunities

I have already secured a job for after graduation involved in providing outdoor recreation programming for young individuals. We are rapidly losing the natural integrity of our wild spaces and populations due to climate change and other anthropogenic activities. Thus, the people I will be offering programs for will be even more susceptible to climate emotions as they witness the landscape and species composition change around them. A huge part of my mission in my new job is to incorporate education and practices about ecological emotions and pathways to process them. As an avid outdoor recreator myself, I know the toll it can take mentally, physically, and emotionally to witness the natural world you love be destroyed before your eyes. I want to offer hope and solace to those who may experience similar difficulties as climate change progresses and impacts the places we recreate.

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