ABSTRACT
The chapter examines contemporary environmental crises as a threat to citizens’ emotional well-being and sense of safety. The danger is both practical and existential as climate change shows by entailing the human drama of denial, disavowal, and political inaction. Accordingly, analysis covers climate emotions such as anxiety, grief and anger as well as their relevance for everyday life, community formation and development of trust. Special attention is devoted to strategies that seek to overcome individualism and alienation by prioritizing close relationships, a sense of we-ness, and collective action. Close relationships and safe emotional connections – including a connection to more-than-human world – offer space for reflection on possible actions and forms of resistance. This contribution does not offer hope-inspiring solutions to the drama of environmental destruction, but foregrounds relationships and alliances, which are forged even in troubled times, as well as narratives that make it possible to live with climate change.
