Positive Psychology and Biodiversity Conservation (Routledge Studies in Conservation and the Environment)

This book reveals how pro‑environmental actions can boost individuals’ and communities’ psychological, social, and emotional wellbeing, resulting in positive environmental changes.

Pro‑environmental actions are often viewed as being motivated by anxiety, shame, or anger. However, emerging research indicates that they can also become a source of positive affect, life meaning, engagement, and other wellbeing outcomes. This book turns the current research and practice of pro‑environmental action on its head. Drawing from the field of positive psychology, a rapidly developing science of wellbeing, the book explores new perspectives on how researchers and practitioners can influence engagement in pro‑environmental initiatives. It provides ways in which individuals passionate about the environment can reframe their feelings and thoughts and allow their newly gained perspective to improve their wellbeing, and outlines approaches to support and encourage those less motivated to engage in pro‑environmental actions. The book draws on research from the biodiversity project called Let It Bee, but also looks at examples of other pro‑environmental research, such as water conservation, recycling, and reducing the consumption of meat. This book can be used as a guide for changing how stakeholders motivate people to engage in pro‑environmental action.

This book will be essential reading for students and scholars of biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, ecosystem services, and environmental psychology.

Jolanta Burke (PhD) is a Chartered Psychologist (British Psychological Society) and a Senior Lecturer (US: Associate Professor) at the Centre for Positive Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ireland. Dr Burke specialises in the application of positive psychology. Specifically, she researches mechanisms for enhancing psychological flourishing and new wellbeing interventions, such as pro‑environmental, nature‑based, and lifestyle‑medicine‑based tools for enhancing psychological flourishing. Her latest research projects include an exploration of the nature‑related mechanisms impacting physiological (Heart Rate Variability, electroencephalogram) and psychological wellbeing (funded by the Science Foundation Ireland) and the psychological wellbeing impact of bees on bee‑keepers, their families, and the community (funded by the Irish Research Council and Community Foundation Ireland). She has authored over ten books, published over 60 peer‑reviewed publications, and written for such newspapers as the Guardian, Irish Independent, and Irish Times. Her research and publications have been featured in such media as The Economic Times, Channel News Asia, CNN, and Fox News. She is a regular contributor to Psychology Today and The Conversation, where over two million people have read her articles in the last two years, and she was acknowledged by the Irish Times as one of thirty people who make Ireland a better place. For more information, go to www.JolantaBurke.com.

Darren Clarke (PhD) is an Assistant Professor in climate change at Dublin City University. His research specialises in environmental psychology, climate change policy, governance, adaptation, and social vulnerability. He has also worked with the local government sector in Ireland to support them in developing and implementing key performance indicators to measure their climate action progress over the period 2020-2029. He also helped organise Ireland's Children and Young People’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss – the first of its kind globally. He currently leads a national climate adaptation research project funded by the Environmental Protection Agency examining the political economy of climate adaptation in Ireland. He is a regular contributor to national and local print media in Ireland, including the Irish Times, the Irish Independent, and RTE Brainstorm. He also regularly appears as an expert on national television on topics related to sustainability and climate change.

Jimmy O’Keeffe (PhD) is Assistant Professor of Environmental Systems at Dublin City University. He has over 14 years’ experience working on natural capital and ecosystem service research in Ireland, UK and South Asia collaborating with farmers, developers, regulatory authorities, and governments. Jimmy has authored multiple papers on the use of systems modelling and stakeholder engagement, helping to bridge the gap between engineering and social science. He also helped organise Ireland's Children and Young People’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss – the first of its kind globally. Jimmy’s current research focuses on quantifying the societal benefits, particularly around health and wellbeing provided by urban natural capital. He uses interdisciplinary approaches, including stakeholder engagement and systems modelling, to improve our understanding of the links and feedbacks between humans and the natural environment.

Sean Corrigan is a Water and Environmental Engineer. He has over 20 years’ experience in the water sector working on projects from catchments to the tap. Through nature-based, and community-focused solutions, the projects that Sean has managed have reduced the need for capital expenditure. They have also been recognised national and internationally winning numerous awards. Sean is also the sustainability director of a children’s charity that focuses on the child and parents physical and emotional wellbeing as well as focusing on biodiversity, upcycling, and carbon sequestration. The charity will be carbon positive by 2027.