The New York Times called Dr Thomas Doherty (author of Surviving Climate Anxiety) the most prominent American advocate of eco psychology. Jeremy Smith is co-author of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and has spent more than 20 years at the front line of tourism's response to the climate crisis.
This episode goes somewhere most industry conversations and sustainability conferences don't. Not the spreadsheets, not the pledges - but the psychological reality of operating in an industry navigating one of the defining tensions of our time.
This episode is powered by Your Nature Anew, where tourism meets wellbeing. Beàta Szablics supports hotels, tour operators, agencies, DMCs and DMOs to move beyond five stars to five senses. Find out more at yournatureanew.com
Here's what stayed with me after this conversation...
🌍 Why the anxiety you feel about the climate and nature (as someone working in tourism) isn't a weakness, why it's a healthy sign and what it's actually telling you
🌍 What's missing from most tourism businesses' climate response that no emissions spreadsheet will ever fix!
🌍 What Jeremy witnessed on a small island off the coast of Cornwall that completely changed how he sees tourism's role in the world to come
🌍 The three-step framework Thomas uses with clients navigating climate anxiety — and how to apply it to where you are right now
Enjoyed learning from Dr. Thomas and Jeremy? Catch their 5 Minute Reset over at The Tourism Reset. Access on-demand Masterclasses from 40+ of the industry's leading voices. Video first. Zero paywalls. thetourismreset.com.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Climate Anxiety and Eco-Anxiety
06:56 Personal Journeys: Thomas and Jeremy's Experiences
15:11 Understanding Eco-Anxiety: A Healthy Response
24:04 Navigating Climate Anxiety in the Tourism Industry
34:59 The Human Connection: Emotions vs. Technical Solutions
38:55 The Power of Duality in Environmental Perspectives
41:14 Gendered Perspectives on Nature and Nurturing
43:34 Complexity and Connection in Environmental Education
46:55 Navigating Climate Distress and Information Overload
49:33 Finding Grounding in Nature and Local News
51:06 Slowing Down in an Accelerated World
56:10 Environmental Identity and Personal Connection to Nature
01:01:19 Engaging with Nature Through Tourism
01:06:25 The Role of Tourism in Climate Awareness
01:11:24 Identifying Personal Environmental Identity
01:14:03 Personal Practices for Grounding and Reconnection
