Generation Dread: Confronting Eco-Anxiety with Britt Wray

 “In this intriguing and engaging work, Britt Wray… shows finally that meaningful living is possible even in the face of that which threatens to extinguish life itself, and that addressing global climate change begins with attending to the climate within.”   —Dr. Gabor Maté, author of When the Body Says No

“A rare look at the internal work required to meaningfully confront the existential threats climate change poses to our institutions, our futures, and our selves… read this courageous book.”  —Naomi Klein, author of  On Fire and This Changes Everything
 

Join Kingston WritersFest as we present Dr. Britt Wray, in conversation with Professor John Smol, for a timely conversation about eco-anxiety and her new book, Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Crisis. Britt will explore the psychological impact of climate and environment-related fears, arguing that intense feelings are not only a healthy response to the troubled state of the world, but a first crucial step toward becoming an engaged steward of the planet.

With insights drawn from climate-aware therapists, critical perspectives on race and privilege in this crisis, ideas about the future of mental health innovation, and creative coping strategies, Britt illuminates how we can learn from the past, from our own emotions, and from each other to survive—and even thrive—in a changing world. 

This is a virtual event, and the onstage conversation will be followed by an audience Q&A. 

Pricing – sliding scale
Includes HST and all service charges. 

General Admission $10-$20

Student Admission $5-$10

Wednesday, May 11
7:00 – 8:00 pm EDT
Includes Q&A 

Order a copy of Britt’s book! Books are available for sale at the official bookseller of Kingston WritersFest, Novel Idea Books. Order online or in-store at 156 Princess Street. 

About the author

Dr. Britt Wray is a writer and broadcaster who studies the emotional and psychological impacts of the climate crisis. Born and raised in Toronto, she is a Human and Planetary Health Postdoctoral Fellow at the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, where she investigates the mental health consequences of ecological disruption. She holds a PhD in science communication from the University of Copenhage, an Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media and Design from OCAD University, a BSc (Hon) in Biology from Queen’s University, and a Graduate Diploma in Communications from Concordia University. She is the author of one previous book – Rise of the Necrofauna: The Science, Ethics and Risks of De-Extinction, and her work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Guardian and Globe and Mail, among other publications. She has hosted several podcasts, radio and TV programs with the BBC and CBC, is a TED Resident, and writes Gen Dread, a newsletter about staying sane in the climate crisis. 

***

About the moderator

Professor John Smol OC, PhD, FRSC, FRS, is a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Biology (cross-appointed with the School of Environmental Studies) at Queen’s University where he is also holder of the Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change. He was the founding editor of the Journal of Paleolimnology and is currently in his 4th 5-year term as editor-in-chief of the journal Environmental Reviews. He is also the series editor of the book series Developments in Paleoenvironmental Research and is on the editorial boards of ten other journals. John founded and now co-directs the Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Laboratory (PEARL) at Queen’s University, and has over 620 journal publications and book chapters to his credit. He has edited and authored 21 books, including one textbook on paleolimnology, now in its second edition, and co-authored a textbook on ecology, also in its second edition. John has lectured on all seven continents, and is a frequent commentator on environmental issues for radio, television, and the print media.