How Joy Helps Save the Planet
About this episode
This episode explores how choosing joy over guilt can lead to sustainable climate choices and improved well-being.
Choosing joy over guilt and shame can make climate-friendly habits easier to sustain while improving your own well-being along the way. Summary: Fear may grab our attention, but research suggests joy is what helps us make meaningful, sustainable climate choices. On this episode of The Science of Happiness, discover how small shifts can have a big impact. Scientists Elizabeth Dunn and Jiaying Zhao share how reframing climate action around happiness instead of guilt can help us build healthier habits, strengthen our communities, and care for the Earth. How To Do This Practice: Choose one everyday habit: Pick a part of your routine like eating, commuting, shopping, or reducing food waste where you'd like to make a climate-friendly change. Focus on what you can add: Instead of thinking about what to give up, ask yourself what you can enjoy more, such as eating more seasonal produce, walking outdoors, or spending time tending a garden. Notice how it feels: As you try your new habit, pay attention to moments of enjoyment, connection, pride, or calm. Positive emotions help make new behaviors stick. Make it easy: Remove small barriers that get in your way. For example, keep fresh fruits…
People in this episode
Host: The Science of Happiness
Guests: Elizabeth Dunn, Jiaying Zhao
Topics covered
- climate action
- joy
- sustainability
- well-being
- habits
- community
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Science of Happiness, PRX, Greater Good Science Center
More episodes of The Science of Happiness
- Why Revenge Feels So Good—and Why It Hurts Us
- Happiness Break: A Meditation to Move Through Anger
- Happiness Break: Where Did You Come From? A Guided Reflection Practice
- How To Find the Wow In Life
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