189: Climate Anxiety and Presence Activism with Lynne Sedgmore

Do you feel climate anxiety? Is it overwhelming you? How do we find peace while being bombarded with dire environmental predictions? In an attempt to answer these questions, I talk with Lynne Sedgmore, a well-known educator, leadership coach, activist and the author of the book "Presence Activism: A Profound Antidote to Climate Anxiety".

To set the scene, we start with a discussion about peaceful but disruptive climate protests. We discuss their effectiveness, the reception by the wider public, and the recent governmental clampdown resulting in excessively long prison sentences for protesters. I also asked Lynne about ways to communicate with older generations about environmental issues. From my observations, it's usually more difficult than with younger people.

During our discussion, Lynne talks about the challenges of immersing herself in climate change literature and the importance of finding a balanced perspective. As in the book, in the podcast we explore the concept of "presence" as a tool for managing anxiety, and how practices like meditation have a calming effect on our nervous systems. Lynne emphasises the need for empathy in climate discussions, even with those holding opposing views.

We finish with a reminder about the value of staying present, rather than getting lost and upset by predictions for the future. This episode offers a unique mix of practical advice and philosophical wisdom for anyone grappling with climate concerns. And if all this sounds interesting to you, buy Lynne's book using the link below. That way, you will also support my work on the podcast.

Buy "Presence Activism: A Profound Antidote to Climate Anxiety"

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The guest featured in this episode paid a nominal guesting fee. This fee did not influence the content of the episode. The guest had no editorial control, did not review the episode before publication, and did not influence the questions asked during the interview.

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