IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v10y2018i5p1508-d145547.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Mindfulness and Climate Change Action: A Feasibility Study

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

  • Thomas Bryan

    (Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, 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)

  • 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)

  • Elisa R. Torres

    (University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing, Jackson, MI 39216, USA)

  • Samuel G. Younkin

    (Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA)

  • Bruce Barrett

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

Abstract

Pro-environmental behaviors and the cultural shifts that can accompany these may offer solutions to the consequences of a changing climate. Mindfulness has been proposed as a strategy to initiate these types of behaviors. In 2017, we pilot-tested Mindful Climate Action (MCA), an eight-week adult education program that delivers energy use, climate change, and sustainability content in combination with training in mindfulness meditation, among 16 individuals living in Madison, WI. We collected participant data at baseline and at different times across the study period regarding household energy use, transportation, diet, and health and happiness. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the various MCA study practices including measurement tools, outcome assessment, curriculum and related educational materials, and especially the mindfulness-based climate action trainings. MCA was well-received by participants as evidenced by high adherence rate, high measures of participant satisfaction, and high participant response rate for surveys. In addition, we successfully demonstrated feasibility of the MCA program, and have estimated participant’s individual carbon footprints related to diet, transportation, and household energy.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1508-:d:145547
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/5/1508/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/5/1508/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Peter Scarborough & Paul Appleby & Anja Mizdrak & Adam Briggs & Ruth Travis & Kathryn Bradbury & Timothy Key, 2014. "Dietary greenhouse gas emissions of meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans in the UK," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 125(2), pages 179-192, July.
    2. Jeffrey Jacob & Emily Jovic & Merlin Brinkerhoff, 2009. "Personal and Planetary Well-being: Mindfulness Meditation, Pro-environmental Behavior and Personal Quality of Life in a Survey from the Social Justice and Ecological Sustainability Movement," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 93(2), pages 275-294, September.
    3. Maizlish, N. & Woodcock, J. & Co, S. & Ostro, B. & Fanai, A. & Fairley, D., 2013. "Health cobenefits and transportation-related reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the San Francisco Bay Area," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(4), pages 703-709.
    4. Sullivan, Marianne & Karlsson, Jan & Ware, John E., 1995. "The Swedish SF-36 Health Survey--I. Evaluation of data quality, scaling assumptions, reliability and construct validity across general populations in Sweden," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 41(10), pages 1349-1358, November.
    5. Martin C. Heller & Gregory A. Keoleian, 2015. "Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimates of U.S. Dietary Choices and Food Loss," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 19(3), pages 391-401, June.
    6. Pucher, J. & Buehler, R. & Merom, D. & Bauman, A., 2011. "Walking and cycling in the United States, 2001-2009: Evidence from the National Household Travel Surveys," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(SUPPL. 1), pages 310-317.
    7. 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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ann Hindley, 2022. "Understanding the Gap between University Ambitions to Teach and Deliver Climate Change Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Salomé Areias & Antje Disterheft & João Pedro Gouveia, 2023. "The Role of Connectedness in Pro-Environmental Consumption of Fashionable Commodities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, January.
    3. Julien Dupraz & Bernard Burnand, 2021. "Role of Health Professionals Regarding the Impact of Climate Change on Health—An Exploratory Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Kira J. Cooper & Robert B. Gibson, 2022. "A Novel Framework for Inner-Outer Sustainability Assessment," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-27, December.
    5. 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.
    6. Sabrina Helm & Brintha Subramaniam, 2019. "Exploring Socio-Cognitive Mindfulness in the Context of Sustainable Consumption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-17, July.
    7. Chaniporn Thampanichwat & Suphat Bunyarittikit & Chumporn Moorapun & Prima Phaibulputhipong, 2023. "A Content Analysis of Architectural Atmosphere Influencing Mindfulness through the Lens of Instagram," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, June.
    8. Fang Shen & Zibibula Simayi & Shengtian Yang & Yusuyunjiang Mamitimin & Xiaofen Zhang & Yunyi Zhang, 2023. "A Bibliometric Review of Household Carbon Footprint during 2000–2022," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-25, April.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. 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.
    2. Matt Biggar, 2019. "Unpacking the influence of social norms and past experience on commute mode choice," Journal of Behavioral Public Administration, Center for Experimental and Behavioral Public Administration, vol. 2(1).
    3. Boehm, Rebecca & Wilde, Parke E. & Ver Ploeg, Michele & Costello, Christine & Cash, Sean B., 2018. "A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from U.S. Household Food Choices," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 67-76.
    4. Jennifer A. Jay & Raffaella D’Auria & J. Cully Nordby & David Andy Rice & David A. Cleveland & Anthony Friscia & Sophie Kissinger & Marc Levis & Hannah Malan & Deepak Rajagopal & Joel R. Reynolds & We, 2019. "Reduction of the carbon footprint of college freshman diets after a food-based environmental science course," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 154(3), pages 547-564, June.
    5. Regina Veckalne & Martins Kapustins & Tatjana Tambovceva, 2023. "Smart Cities, Green Diets: How the Lucy Veg App Supports Valencia's Vegan Community and Contributes to SDGs," Virtual Economics, The London Academy of Science and Business, vol. 6(2), pages 7-22, June.
    6. Rehkamp, Sarah & Canning, Patrick, 2018. "Measuring Embodied Blue Water in American Diets: An EIO Supply Chain Approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 179-188.
    7. Thanh-Lam Nguyen & Do Huu Tai & Lam Thanh Hien & Doan Manh Quynh & Phan Ngoc Son, 2020. "A Novel Model to Predict Plant-Based Food Choice-Empirical Study in Southern Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-25, May.
    8. Fadime Kocapınar Batmaz & Ahu Ergen, 2022. "Mindfulness and Sustainable Consumption: Evidence from Students in Istanbul," Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Richtmann Publishing Ltd, vol. 11, January.
    9. Hongyun Fu & Mark VanLandingham, 2012. "Mental Health Consequences of International Migration for Vietnamese Americans and the Mediating Effects of Physical Health and Social Networks: Results From a Natural Experiment Approach," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 49(2), pages 393-424, May.
    10. Ronaldo, Reza & Suryanto, Tulus, 2022. "Green finance and sustainability development goals in Indonesian Fund Village," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    11. Teea Kortetmäki & Markku Oksanen, 2021. "Is there a convincing case for climate veganism?," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(3), pages 729-740, September.
    12. Mervenur Özel & Diana Bogueva & Dora Marinova & Ismail Hakki Tekiner, 2022. "Climate Change Knowledge and Awareness of Nutrition Professionals: A Case Study from Turkey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-13, March.
    13. Menrad, K. & Emberger-Klein, A. & Schops, J., 2018. "Factors influencing consumers behavioral intention towards climate-friendly food consumption in Southern Germany," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277108, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    14. Ericson, Torgeir & Kjønstad, Bjørn Gunaketu & Barstad, Anders, 2014. "Mindfulness and sustainability," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 73-79.
    15. Marquet, Oriol & Miralles-Guasch, Carme, 2015. "Neighbourhood vitality and physical activity among the elderly: The role of walkable environments on active ageing in Barcelona, Spain," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 24-30.
    16. Helen Harwatt & Joan Sabaté & Gidon Eshel & Sam Soret & William Ripple, 2017. "Substituting beans for beef as a contribution toward US climate change targets," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 143(1), pages 261-270, July.
    17. Rupi, Federico & Freo, Marzia & Poliziani, Cristian & Postorino, Maria Nadia & Schweizer, Joerg, 2023. "Analysis of gender-specific bicycle route choices using revealed preference surveys based on GPS traces," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 1-14.
    18. Yang, Ziqi & Li, Xinghua & Guo, Yuntao & Qian, Xinwu, 2023. "Understanding active transportation accessibility's impacts on polycentric and monocentric cities' housing price," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    19. Welsch, Heinz, 2024. "Why is satisfaction from pro-environmental behaviors increasing in costs? Insights from the rational-choice decision-error framework," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    20. Martin Adler & Stefanie Peer & Tanja Sinozic, 2019. "Autonomous, Connected, Electric Shared vehicles (ACES) and public finance: an explorative analysis," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 19-005/VIII, Tinbergen Institute.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1508-:d:145547. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.