How Western Buddhist climate activists negotiate climate emotions

Understanding the underpinnings of pro-environmental behavior is key to mitigating the socio-ecological crisis. Climate emotions have a critical albeit complex role in modulating pro-environmental behavior. Moreover, ideological frames, particularly those from world religions, exert strong influence on pro-environmental behavior, covering most of humanity. Among these, Buddhism has long been argued to contain elements suited to a green transition. However, empirical research on Buddhism and ecology is scarce, and little is known about the dynamics between climate emotions and behavior among Buddhists. In this article, we increase knowledge about the complex dynamics of climate action by analyzing findings from a case study investigating thirteen Western Buddhist climate activists, who operate at the intersection of Buddhism and environmentalism. Life history and thematic interview data shows that interpretations of Buddhism shape attitudes toward climate emotions in profound ways, with respondents manifesting high levels of emotional reflexivity. Interpretations of compassion and interconnectedness facilitate various levels of care for non-human nature. Some participants reported climate anxiety. Teachings on impermanence and cultivation of equanimity affect engagement with climate grief, anger, despair, and hope. Interpretations on karma allow negotiating a balance between individual guilt and allocation of responsibility to social structures, although the role of climate guilt emerges as somewhat conflicted among participants. Furthermore, emotion norms on avoiding anger and conflict can prevent individual and collective activation, and some participants were critical about traditional Buddhist interpretations of anger. Withdrawal into Buddhist practice with an inner focus was used to cope with uncertainty and burnout, and when seen to address the psychological roots of the climate crisis this could facilitate social disengagement. Our study contributes to interdisciplinary research on climate emotions, environmental activism, and religion.