Political Climate Change: Climate Action & The Psychology of Conspiracy Theory

In recent years we have been increasingly exposed to global socio-environmental crises (wars, climate crisis, pandemics, political unrest) which are beyond our immediate control, but still require our attention and engagement to address them. Increased attention to negative events in the form of worry and rumination, however, is a leading cause of anxiety and mood disorders. My current research explores what are the patterns and consequences of thoughts about socio-environmental crises? And is there a way that we can engage with these thoughts that will allow effective engagement and action to address these problems without them leading to worsening mental health.

Conspiracy theories are often dismissed as irrational or fringe. But what if they make emotional sense? This talk explores how fear, anxiety, nostalgia and identity shape belief, and why conspiracies can feel compelling in uncertain times. Drawing on psychoanalysis and real-world examples, it asks what these theories reveal about us, not just what we think, but what we feel.