For many people, climate change is a concern, and the precious environment of the North Shore compelled one local author to dive deeper into the climate crisis and how it affects humans on an emotional level. Shawna Weaver, Ph.D., a career-long educator and mental health advocate, was exposed to several projects focused on local concerns while working on her dissertation in 2016. Through her research, three key components rose to the top when addressing climate change and how individuals experience it: mental health, eco-psychology, and the science of what is occurring with the environment.
Weaver heard from clients who shared their anxiety about what their future looked like, and the frustration of what direction leaders are taking to address the issues. She realized, through these conversations, that there are limited tools to offer them to understand the emotional stress they were experiencing. Eco-psychology is defined as a movement recognizing the psychological connection between humans and nature, specifically viewing human psychological wellness and how it is connected to the natural environment.
Hearing from her clients and knowing the connection between humans and nature, Weaver was inspired to write the book Climate Grief: From Coping to Resilience and Action, released in 2023. Weaver set out to combine all three sectors she had identified, highlighting the intersection of mental health, eco-psychology, and science, and what can be learned from each, breaking down the individual “silos” of each. “I wanted this information and research to be accessible, not needing a science or psychology background to understand the process,” Weaver explains. The book is not technical and is not meant to be read in a linear way, but rather to serve as a resource. The material is appropriate for a range of ages and life situations, and different chapters may seem more relevant to each individual reader. The publication covers topics such as climate change 101, stages of grief, tools to support personal well-being, and where go from here. Readers are invited to create a plan for building personal and planetary resilience. “It is an opportunity to look inward at our own grief and emerge with the motivation needed to make lifestyle changes and inspire others,” says Weaver.
Born and raised in the Twin Ports and now living in Duluth, Weaver feels her broader perspective on the climate crisis comes from moving away from Minnesota for several years. When she set out to write this book, the original focus was on northern Minnesota but has since evolved to start from a more global view. The book naturally shifted to exploring the universal grief experience, and she realized understanding this topic at so many levels lends itself to being explored in a series. Her next book will narrow from that broader scope, bringing the issue and advocacy back home to the North Shore. In her initial research, she interviewed nearly 30 residents along the shore to help her understand local feelings. These interviews, most of which were conducted along the Superior Hiking Trail, including Grand Portage, Beaver Bay, and Grand Marais, will be highlighted in part two of the series.
Since the release of Climate Grief, Weaver has connected with many other voices, and more collaborations have been developed to broaden the story of the North Shore. These interactions will also be included in the next publication. Her goal is to have the draft completed by the end of 2025.
Weaver’s book tour for Climate Grief has covered several U.S. states, as well as Europe and Canada. The feedback has been positive—people are “glad to have a framework to discuss something that seems increasingly universal but still really not spoken about.” Weaver discovered the same worries across the nation and the anxiety it brings to most people. These concerns go beyond the facts typically reported by scientists. She notes, “Scientists haven’t seen or lived it here in the Northland.” Weaver welcomes others to join in the conversation, and readers can reach out through her website: shawna.j.weaver.com. Her book has been featured on several blogs and podcasts and is available at most local bookstores and on Amazon.
