Healing the Earth: The Rise of Eco-Chaplains Addressing Climate Grief

In an era marked by escalating environmental crises, a new breed of spiritual leader is emerging: the eco-chaplain. Tasked with helping individuals navigate the complex emotions tied to climate change—such as grief, anxiety, and burnout—these chaplains are pioneering a path toward healing. As reported by NPR, they are finding their place in communities across the United States, Great Britain, Australia, and Canada, offering personalized support through therapy sessions, online circles, and in-person groups. With the American Psychological Association recognizing climate anxiety as a significant issue, the demand for eco-chaplains illustrates a growing acknowledgment of the emotional toll of our planet's rapid changes.

‘Eco-Chaplains’ have apparently been tasked with helping people ‘process’ their ‘climate grief’ according to a report from NPR.

And no, this is not satire….these new spiritual leaders are being trained to meet a growing need to address “grief, anxiety and burnout” over environmental problems.

“NPR reported: “Today, there are chaplains working at the intersection of climate, grief and spirituality in the United States, Great Britain, Australia and Canada. Most develop their own ways of addressing the issue, from one-on-one therapy sessions to online climate grief circles and in-person support groups”

NPR: A new kind of ‘eco-chaplain’ is helping people deal with ‘climate grief’ –

‘Grief, anger & depression’ from ‘feeling that it may be too late to save a planet in deep peril’ –

‘Trump’s election freaked everyone out’ https://t.co/0zYlZ1bj21 pic.twitter.com/RJRUEVfFiD

— Marc Morano (@ClimateDepot) September 7, 2024

Fox News reports: The report noted how eco-chaplaincy is a 21st century invention, with less than 100 people believed to be practicing it in the western world. Multiple organizations have begun to train individuals in a type of eco-therapy “from Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and secular perspectives.”

NPR spoke to Rev. Alison Cornish, a chaplaincy coordinator from Portland, Maine. She argued that eco-chaplains are needed because of the “demand to address climate grief, anxiety and burnout.”

Climate anxiety is reportedly an issue for many people, to the point that the American Psychological Association (APA) acknowledged its existence in 2017, classifying it as “a chronic fear of environmental doom.”

An APA entry from 2021 stated, “The planet is undergoing rapid changes that are unprecedented in human history. And as psychologists are increasingly aware, these changes can bring about great stress and mental anguish to all of us living through these challenging times.”

As NPR noted, the APA found that two-thirds of Americans have experienced climate anxiety. 

Cornish said her non-profit organization, The BTS Center – which specializes in dealing with climate change spiritually ­– had 80 chaplains register to join one of their programs discussing climate in 2023, a number she said was eight times more than she was expecting.