Lea Dohm is a qualified psychologist and a psychotherapist with a foundation in depth psychology, as well as author, journalist, and co-founder of the initiative Psychologists for Future (Psy4F). She works as a transformations consultant at the German Alliance for Climate Change and Health (KLUG) and focuses primarily on the psychological dimensions of societal crises, especially the climate crisis, in her work.
In this interview, she speaks with Scarlett Eckert, Managing Director of the Intalcon Foundation, about how we can remain capable of taking action despite difficult emotions and grow personally as well as collectively in the face of current challenges. Her insights offer valuable perspectives for better understanding the emotional crisis and, consequently, for managing the climate crisis more effectively.
Scarlett Eckert: How does the climate crisis affect our health?
Lea Dohm: The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies the climate crisis and species extinction as the greatest health threats of our time. In fact, all ecological crises negatively affect our health in various ways, such as environmental toxins and pollutants that help trigger asthma or cancer, as well as the diverse, insidious health consequences of heat.
In the realm of mental health, many indirect effects are added: when, for example, people are forced to flee due to climate change, this is associated with significant psychological stress and risk of trauma. Another example: extreme weather events, as seen here in Germany (e.g., Ahr Valley), cause psychological burdens in affected regions to rise, even months after the event, including for those only indirectly impacted. Serious and long-term psychological illnesses often follow, which cannot be dealt with using the current resources of psychotherapeutic care. Already, finding a place in therapy can be very difficult.
Scarlett Eckert: Why do you think that, despite this, a certain resistance to sustainability and nature conservation has developed?
Lea Dohm: This has not only psychological causes, but is also a result of ongoing political agenda-setting, which tends to focus not primarily on science but on emotionally charged topics (migration, gender issues, etc.) in risk assessment. Psychological research also offers an important insight: people's willingness to act on climate and environmental protection is systematically underestimated. We often perceive ourselves as standing alone with our convictions — but that is usually not the case.
It helps to dare to speak more about climate and ecology. This way, the topics return to the mainstream, we feel less isolated, and actively help shape a new, sustainable normality.
Scarlett Eckert: Why, despite all the alarming facts and scientific findings, do we fail to take action?
Lea Dohm: Many people do feel they are already taking action. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of individual action is not always high, especially when limited to personal consumption changes. Of course, it is commendable to eat less meat or fly less — we should all make these changes. Real, greater effectiveness arises, however, when we act together and pursue institutional or structural change. Political participation or critically examining your employer’s investments, for example, can be powerful. Showing concrete, effective, and feasible options for action also helps reduce frustration or perceptions that sustainability only means sacrifice.
Scarlett Eckert: What is the “Global Bystander Effect”?
Lea Dohm: The “Bystander Effect” is a well-researched psychological phenomenon: the more people witness an emergency, the less likely any one person is to intervene. Someone who suffers a crime in a busy city square can, on average, expect less help than in a quieter side street. In the context of the climate crisis and species extinction, this effect occurs on a global scale. We tend to shift responsibility: to China, the USA, politics, the economy, or our neighbor who goes on a cruise. We unconsciously use this as an excuse not to act ourselves. Yet research is clear about how social change towards sustainability works: everyone has to act. In fact, this is probably the more likeable approach than regularly pointing fingers at others.
Scarlett Eckert: How can communication about the climate crisis be made more successful?
Lea Dohm: By connecting the topic to what our counterpart is personally interested in. A farmer will see different aspects as relevant than an insurance broker. We can continually ask: What is the connection point for our conversation partner to the climate issue - and if they don't see one, we can research and point it out.
In finance, this might be balancing short-term returns against sustainable investment and long-term perspectives. Ethical considerations and conscience are also relevant here, which often bring people together. Psychological questions about values and attitudes are what create authentic connections between people.
Scarlett Eckert: Should the term “climate protection” be avoided in favor of “human protection” or “health protection”?
Lea Dohm: Content-wise, this is absolutely correct; some people may indeed be more receptive to these terms. But, in my view, there is a clear parallel: climate protection is human protection and health protection at once. Consistently highlighting this connection can make climate issues more tangible.
Scarlett Eckert: What inspired you to write the book “Klimagefühle” (Climate Emotions)?
Lea Dohm: Psychology and psychotherapy have been engaged for years with how people can actively incorporate climate and environmental issues into their thinking, feeling, and acting. It turns out this can be challenging, as dealing with these topics triggers uncomfortable emotions like anger, fear, guilt, and sadness. These are feelings we naturally want to avoid — yet science shows we must confront them. Helping as many people as possible not to shy away from this inner confrontation, and to connect it with constructive, effective personal action, makes sense. The book is intended to help overcome denial and avoidance, and develop an attitude toward climate and environmental topics that does not overwhelm us.
Scarlett Eckert: Which climate emotions do you describe in your book?
Lea Dohm: Together with my co-author Mareike Schulze, in “Klimagefühle” we relate to the entire spectrum of emotions that can arise when dealing with climate issues. These include everything from mild concern, sadness, anger, guilt and shame through to joy and optimism - feelings that often emerge when we feel less alone with the topic and have found effective courses of action.
One point I would add today: all actions or climate policy measures can evoke all kinds of feelings. For instance, it can be sad to say farewell to a familiar way of traveling, or infuriating when we see changes as pointless. Overall, we are, hopefully, experiencing a well-considered and sensible social-ecological transformation towards greater sustainability. It is logical that such a profound societal shift comes with very diverse emotional experiences. It’s important to look closely so that as a community we are not driven apart by these feelings.
"We must stop playing climate protection, environmental protection and prosperity off against each other and presenting them as incompatible."
Scarlett Eckert: What role do climate emotions play in sustainable investing and financial decision-making?
Lea Dohm: My personal impression is that the financial sector does not yet fully understand how important and powerful it is for creating a fair socio-ecological transformation - and how urgent this transformation is. It would actually be helpful if more climate emotions were acknowledged, rather than suppressed, as this would favour the needed action.
Currently, the extent to which sustainability is prioritized over short-term returns is still a matter of personal judgment for individuals and companies. This can bring feelings of frustration, anger and annoyance, especially when others seem to be less troubled by scruples and are then rewarded with higher financial gains. For people who feel this way, I’d recommend teaming up with others in the sector, and working courageously to shape change towards more fairness and environmental standards.
Scarlett Eckert: The subtitle of your book is “How can we grow from the environmental crisis rather than despair” - could you name a few recommendations from your book?
Lea Dohm: A basic recommendation, beneficial for mental health, is to slow down a little, notice your own feelings, engage more deeply with the issues, and especially keep an eye out for constructive ways to act. This applies to the financial sector as much as to construction, transport, or other areas currently under major pressure to transform for sustainability.
Scarlett Eckert: Are there practical examples in the book that could be relevant in banking or investment contexts?
Lea Dohm: Yes, the book offers many ways to feel out and develop your own stance on the subject. It’s an invitation to self-reflection. Thus, a psychological foundation is created on which collectively healthier decisions can be made - naturally also in the important financial sector.
Scarlett Eckert: How can change in the financial sector be accelerated and how can the industry contribute to a “new normal”?
Lea Dohm: We need to stop playing climate and environmental protection against prosperity and presenting them as mutually exclusive. Our prosperity depends on stable ecosystems, which, if they collapse, would obviously affect our economic system as well. There is pressing urgency, with seven out of nine planetary boundaries already exceeded. Thus, it is necessary to courageously confront those whose investments and business models are outdated and jeopardize our safety and health with these facts - and at the same time show them constructive alternatives.
Scarlett Eckert: Thank you very much for the interview, your impluse and especially your valuable contribution to finding solutions. I very much hope that together we can pick up more people and get them to take action.
In their book "Klimagefühle - Wie wir an der Umweltkrise wachsen, statt zu verzweifeln", Lea Dohm and Mareike Schulze show how climate feelings motivate us instead of paralysing us. You can buy it here.
You can find more information about Lea Dohm and her commitment on her website: www.leadohm.de
