This session features three scientists who are at the forefront of creating social change in climate attitudes and mitigation behavior. Ed Maibach (“How We Talk About Climate Matters”) will address the importance of climate attitudes, effective vs. detrimental messaging to raise awareness and change behavior, and the science of effective advocacy. Christine Wamsler (“Inner Transformation and Sustainability”) will describe her research on what mindsets may matter, including mindfulness, and how we can train citizens, policy makers, and decision makers in these mindsets. Karen O’Brien (“Scaling Sustainability: You Matter More Than You Think”) will talk about the relationship between individual change, collective change, and systems change. She will present a model showing how empowering people to be part of a quantum social change provides a new paradigm for transformation. We will discuss some priorities for research ideas for the next generation of climate researchers (moderated by Elissa Epel).
Christine Wamsler: Inner Transformation and Sustainability
Prof. Christine Wamsler will describe current trends, theories, and research at the intersection of the mind and climate, highlighting the importance of reconnecting with ourselves, to each other, and to the world to foster resilience and more appropriate responses to climate change.
Ed Maibach: How We Talk About Climate Matters
Ed Maibach will illuminate the attributes of people who are taking climate advocacy actions, and will discuss the importance of and how to communicate about climate change in ways that promote climate action.
Karen O’ Brien: “Scaling Sustainability: You Matter More Than You Think”
Karen O’Brien will talk about the relationship between individual change, collective change, and systems change. She will present a “three spheres” framework that captures the fractal nature of social change, then discuss the power of paradigms, including how the concept of quantum social change can empower people to generate transformations to an equitable and thriving world.
Elissa Epel, PhD
University of California, San Francisco
Convening Faculty, Fellow, Planning Committee Member, Reviewer
Elissa Epel, Ph.D, is a Professor, and Vice Chair, in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, at University of California, San Francisco. She studies psychological, social, and behavioral pathways … MORE
Christine Wamsler, PhD
Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS)
Convening Faculty
Christine Wamsler is Professor of Sustainability Science and director of the Contemplative Sustainable Futures Program. The aim of the Contemplative Sustainable Futures Program is to create space and opportunities for … MORE
Ed Maibach, PhD
George Mason University
Convening Faculty
Edward Maibach is a Mason Distinguished University Professor and Director of the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication. His research and practice focus on enhancing public and policymaker engagement … MORE
Karen O’ Brien, PhD
University of Oslo
Convening Faculty
Karen O’Brien is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Human Geography at the University of Oslo, Norway. She is also co-founder of cCHANGE, a company that supports transformation in … MORE
