Event Details

You’re invited to a special free event on Monday, Oct 3, 4:30-5:30 via Zoom with the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation + Education Department at the American Museum of Natural History! 

Dr. Jennifer Atkinson is the keynote speaker for the Student Conference on Conservation Science this year, hosted by the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History. Her focus is on climate anxiety and eco-grief and she’s giving a talk called Beyond climate despair: navigating an age of crisis and engaging for change. 

This event will feature a short talk from Dr. Atkinson, followed by a Q&A from attendees.

“We usually focus on the physical impacts of climate change, but ecological loss is also taking a huge emotional toll.  In the face of our growing climate crisis, scientists, activists, and young people report increasing anxiety and despair. Meanwhile, frontline communities — particularly BIPOC and marginalized groups — are experiencing the brunt of climate disasters and suffering significant mental health impacts.  As terms like "eco-anxiety," "climate grief" and "pre-traumatic stress" become more common, the climate movement is starting to take emotions seriously.

To successfully navigate the long emergency ahead, we need to build inner resilience, not just seawalls and solar panels. As a climate educator and researcher, Dr. Jennifer Atkinson works with students and communities to channel despair into action,and develop emotional strategies to stay engaged in climate solutions without becoming overwhelmed.” - https://www.drjenniferatkinson.com