Sarah Jaquette Ray
About the speaker
Sarah J. Ray is Chair and Professor of Environmental Studies at Cal Poly Humboldt. She researches and teaches on climate justice, the environmental humanities, and climate emotions. Her recent book A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet, explores the role of emotions in climate justice activism.
About the Keynote Address
Join Sarah J. Ray for a talk and discussion about letting go of eco-guilt, resisting burnout, and cultivating resilience while advocating for climate justice. A youth movement is reenergizing global environmental activism. The “climate generation”—late millennials and iGen, or Generation Z—is demanding that policymakers and government leaders take immediate action to address the dire outcomes predicted by climate science. Those inheriting our planet’s environmental problems expect to encounter challenges, but they may not have the skills to grapple with the feelings of powerlessness and despair that may arise when they confront this seemingly intractable situation. Drawing on a decade of experience leading and teaching in college environmental studies programs, and combining insights from psychology, sociology, social movements, mindfulness, and the environmental humanities, this talk will offer strategies of interior resilience to engage climate advocacy for the long haul.