Gail Hochachka

I support greater climate action through research and coaching on climate change communications that are connected with what is most meaningful to people.

I do social science research on what climate change means to people—from within their own sense of identity, values and worldviews—so to better support public engagement with climate change. The technologies for developing low-carbon societies are no longer the main barriers to climate action. Also important are the many social and psychological dimensions related to climate change that can result in polarized views, backlash on climate policies, and insufficient public support for climate action. I study these deeper human dimensions of the climate challenge to support more effective community engagement as well as for overcoming polarization and building shared visions for the future.

This website shares current publications and research.

_{Photo credit: Eugene Pustoshkin}

Affect and emotion are among the strongest predictors and mediators of public response to climate action. Why is that? What key emotions shape climate response? And, what can we do about it?

Our recently published paper explores this topic in depth, through co-produced research with climate actors in Vancouver and BC.

Respondents discussed the prevalent affect and emotions, often linked with worldviews and questions of identity, in the face of the broad societal changes that climate action evokes. Four repertories were identified, including:

1) Affect and emotions about changes to jobs and livelihoods (i.e., “A résumé course and a bus ticket”),

2) Feelings and concerns about whether one can find belonging in such changes (e.g., “You matter”),

3) Frustrations with feeling disempowered—or powered-over—in climate action decision-making (e.g., “Don’t regulate me”), and

4) Fears on the process of change itself and what might come next (e.g., “Blind jump”).

Respondents also discussed various ways these psycho-social challenges could be better engaged in climate action work.

Now, the work ahead is to integrate and apply such research into practice.

https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/eas2.70029

_{Art credit: Anya Simpson}

I am climate change researcher who is intrigued by the human dimensions of this complex issue.

With an extensive background in sustainable development, along with current social science research in climate change, I have explored how we might manifest a more sustainable world, one that is diverse, just, and thriving.

This experience has shown me that global environmental issues require responses that are commensurate with such complexity. To that end, I have sought to understand root causes, to find truly transdisciplinary approaches, and to experiment with them in real-world settings. Many of the countries I have worked are post-conflict regions; most have experienced high degree of ecological degradation; all are woven by globalization, for better or for worse.

Although many problems remain unsolved, I am buoyed up by the presence of the tools we need to address global sustainability as well as a global compass set on carbon emissions reductions with international buy-in and clear timelines. In my opinion, the challenge ahead is more a matter of integrating such tools, targets, and commitments into a comprehensive response. Towards that end, I draw on my work experience in nonprofits and academia as well as skills in teaching, facilitation, writing, and project design and coordination.

I believe the way forward will need collaboration and partnerships with people coming from different perspectives. Let’s create collective impact together.