by Lisa Bennett
Here, then, are five ways that the ability to understand what other people are feeling and respond accordingly—in other words, to use empathy—can also help us better manage the economic risks of climate change:
1. Recognize that global warming often triggers negative emotions, such as anxiety, fear, and powerlessness, which often lead to a “flight” rather than “fight” response.
2. Counter these responses by emphasizing the solutions to climate change.
3. Understand that this complex global issue is beyond human scale and, therefore, difficult for people to personally relate to…...
4…
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Bringing an empathic perspective to this issue will not, of course, lead to all the needed solutions to climate change. But it is an essential step for overcoming many of the obstacles to action we now face.
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