ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on environmental grief: the grief reaction stemming from the environmental loss of ecosystems caused by natural or human-made events. Specific focus is given to the decline of one ecosystem, the Southern Resident Orcas in the Salish Sea, and how people are coping with their decline. Themes emerging from this particular form of grief include anger, frustration, depression, sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness—all consistent with reactions of environmental grief. For many, naming their reactions validated the feelings they had experienced for some time. Tips are provided for social scientists to help support first responders and others who are reacting to environmental grief whether counseling lay people or scientific professionals. Action tips are offered for those who want to use this form of grief to motivate them to change their lifestyles, policies, and/or laws such as getting legal rights of nature for the Southern Resident Orcas. The information within this chapter does not only apply to the decline of the Southern Resident Orcas, but to all ecosystems as we continue to deny climate change and the destruction of our planet.
