Exploring Environmental Grief Among Baby Boomers: A Study of Nature Loss


Fatemeh Zahmatkesh, Memorial University

Increasing evidence from case study research shows multiple factors influence ecological grief, with environmental, social, and cultural contexts playing significant roles. Environmental grief is the emotional distress, sorrow, and mourning that people and communities face because of environmental losses caused by climate change. These losses vary from the loss of habitats and ecosystems to pollution and environmental disasters. For this research, I investigated the phenomenon of environmental grief among baby boomers. The reason is that this generation witnessed major environmental changes during their lives, and, compared to the younger generation, many of them spent more time outdoors throughout their childhood. Having experienced the long-term consequences of climate change, they are more aware of the issue, and, as a result, they might feel a deeper sense of loss. Finally, as they approach an older age, they will feel a sense of regret, sadness, and grief. My focus was on the emotional impact of losing the natural environment that they cherished as a child or young adult. Their environmental grief is exhibited in different ways, which include feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, or hopelessness. This mirrors the emotional connections between people and their surrounding environment. I used the qualitative method to understand how these individuals navigate their feelings about grief and nostalgia for losing nature. Through in-depth interviews and narrative analysis, I explored how their grief affected their mental health and well-being. Investigating their lived experience shows the importance of mental health in defiance of environmental changes. In an era of environmental crisis, the findings can offer insight into the challenges these individuals face in mourning the loss of nature. I interviewed eighteen individuals between the ages of fifty and seventy. Five of the participants were men, and thirteen of them were women. They were all from the same province in Iran, but their professions varied. I found that for most of the participants, the non-economic value that they assigned to the place played an important role. These values come from their personal lived experience as well as cultural values. Because of the major changes as a result of climate change and degradation, they reported feeling disconnected from places that previously had symbolic and emotional meaning for them. Some participants mentioned how land use change resulted in losing some vegetation, trees, and birds they used to see when they were young. Among all the participants, those who came from a background in farming and fishing and those who were raised in coastal communities seemed to be more aware of environmental changes than others. In some cases, the places identity was disrupted, and how they framed the loss seemed to be connected to collective identities and cultural practices. The likelihood of experiencing ecological grief is expected to increase globally, a trend already acknowledged in some cultures. This study highlights the multifaceted aspects of ecological grief and how people view these changes through their lived experiences. The importance of place identity, meaning, and attachment can help us make sense of environmental grief in a swiftly changing environment marked by growing uncertainty.

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