Mindfulness and Climate Change Action: A Feasibility Study

• Main Authors: Maggie Grabow, Thomas Bryan, Mary M. Checovich, Alexander K. Converse, Cathy Middlecamp, Margaret Mooney, Elisa R. Torres, Samuel G. Younkin, Bruce Barrett
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-05-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: active transportation; carbon footprint; climate change; co-benefits; environmental impact; health; meditation; mental health; mindfulness; pro-environmental behavior; sustainability; well-being
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/5/1508

Pro-environmental behaviors and the cultural shifts that can accompany these may offer solutions to the consequences of a changing climate. Mindfulness has been proposed as a strategy to initiate these types of behaviors. In 2017, we pilot-tested Mindful Climate Action (MCA), an eight-week adult education program that delivers energy use, climate change, and sustainability content in combination with training in mindfulness meditation, among 16 individuals living in Madison, WI. We collected participant data at baseline and at different times across the study period regarding household energy use, transportation, diet, and health and happiness. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the various MCA study practices including measurement tools, outcome assessment, curriculum and related educational materials, and especially the mindfulness-based climate action trainings. MCA was well-received by participants as evidenced by high adherence rate, high measures of participant satisfaction, and high participant response rate for surveys. In addition, we successfully demonstrated feasibility of the MCA program, and have estimated participant’s individual carbon footprints related to diet, transportation, and household energy.