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Mindful Climate Action: Health and Environmental Co-Benefits from Mindfulness-Based Behavioral Training

Author

Listed:
  • Bruce Barrett

    (Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA)

  • Maggie Grabow

    (Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
    Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA)

  • Cathy Middlecamp

    (Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA)

  • Margaret Mooney

    (Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA)

  • Mary M. Checovich

    (Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA)

  • Alexander K. Converse

    (Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA)

  • Bob Gillespie

    (UW Health Mindfulness Program, Integrative Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53711, USA)

  • Julia Yates

    (Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA)

Abstract

Greenhouse gases from human activities are causing climate change, creating risks for people around the globe. Behaviors involving transportation, diet, energy use, and purchasing drive greenhouse gas emissions, but are also related to health and well-being, providing opportunity for co-benefits. Replacing shorter automobile trips with walking or cycling, or eating plants rather than animals, for example, may increase personal health, while also reducing environmental impact. Mindfulness-based practices have been shown to enhance a variety of health outcomes, but have not been adapted towards environmental purposes. We designed the Mindful Climate Action (MCA) curriculum to help people improve their health while simultaneously lowering their carbon footprints. Combining mindfulness-based practices with the Stages of Change theory, the MCA program aims to: (1) improve personal health and well-being; (2) decrease energy use; (3) reduce automobile use; (4) increase active transport; (5) shift diet towards plant-based foods; and (6) reduce unnecessary purchasing. Mindfulness practices will foster attentional awareness, openness, and response flexibility, supporting positive behavior change. We plan to test MCA in a randomized controlled trial, with rigorous assessment of targeted outcomes. Our long-term goal is to refine and adapt the MCA program to a variety of audiences, in order to enhance public health and environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruce Barrett & Maggie Grabow & Cathy Middlecamp & Margaret Mooney & Mary M. Checovich & Alexander K. Converse & Bob Gillespie & Julia Yates, 2016. "Mindful Climate Action: Health and Environmental Co-Benefits from Mindfulness-Based Behavioral Training," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:10:p:1040-:d:80717
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Maggie Grabow & Thomas Bryan & Mary M. Checovich & Alexander K. Converse & Cathy Middlecamp & Margaret Mooney & Elisa R. Torres & Samuel G. Younkin & Bruce Barrett, 2018. "Mindfulness and Climate Change Action: A Feasibility Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-24, May.
    2. Lidia Vidal-Meliá & Marta Estrada & Diego Monferrer & Alma Rodríguez-Sánchez, 2022. "Does Mindfulness Influence Academic Performance? The Role of Resilience in Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Kira J. Cooper & Robert B. Gibson, 2022. "A Novel Framework for Inner-Outer Sustainability Assessment," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-27, December.
    4. Francesca Scafuto, 2019. "Climate risk for the self and community: The role of Nature Relatedness, Personal Control and Mindfulness," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 0(2), pages 89-108.
    5. Sabrina Helm & Brintha Subramaniam, 2019. "Exploring Socio-Cognitive Mindfulness in the Context of Sustainable Consumption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-17, July.
    6. Tina Böhme & Laura S. Stanszus & Sonja M. Geiger & Daniel Fischer & Ulf Schrader, 2018. "Mindfulness Training at School: A Way to Engage Adolescents with Sustainable Consumption?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-22, October.
    7. Adrien Labaeye, 2019. "Sharing Cities and Commoning: An Alternative Narrative for Just and Sustainable Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-23, August.

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