Developing a Mindset of Hope to Dismantle Doom and Gloom
Psychology Today; Marc Bekoff Ph.D.
In this Psychology Today interview, Dr. elin kelsey explores why hope is a powerful, evidence-based stance—not passive optimism—in the face of climate anxiety. She shares how nurturing hope can counter doom-laden narratives and strengthen our capacity to act for climate justice. Read the full conversation to see how her new book reframes hope as a tool for real change.
Sustainability Education: Sharing Stories of Resilience and Inspiration
Presented by UBC Faculty of Education and UBC Sustainability
In this talk presented by UBC Faculty of Education and UBC Sustainability, elin kelsey makes a compelling case that hope isn't wishful thinking — it's evidence-based, learnable, and essential for climate action. Drawing on real-world examples and emerging research on climate emotions, kelsey shows why cultivating hope may be the most radical and effective thing we can do right now.
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The Oxford Compendium of Hope
Edited by Anthony Scioli and Steven C. van den Heuvel
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Provides a historical context for the study of hope
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Condenses and organizes seminal writings on hope
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Documents the state of research on hope across 12 disciplines and 11 content areas
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Identifies opportunities for advancing cross-disciplinary hope scholarship.
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This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license
How to Be Hopeful
Empowering Practices to Overcome Despair and Act for Climate Justice
By elin kelsey
elin kelsey's How to Be Hopeful: Empowering Practices to Overcome Despair and Act for Climate Justice is a 2025 INDIES Finalist in Self-Help — and a timely guide for anyone who has ever felt paralyzed by the weight of the climate crisis. Equal parts science and invitation, the book equips readers with practical tools to move through despair, connect with others, and take meaningful action toward a more just and sustainable world.
"[elin] kelsey reminds us that at this moment hope is not about simply crossing fingers but rather showing up with calloused and love filled hands.”—Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
