We all know that climate change is real, and the impacts have been, and will be, devastating. That can be incredibly stressful in how to deal with an impending apocalypse. But a study implemented by UW-Madison’s Family Medicine and Community Health hopes to help relieve that stress by mindful techniques, but also behavior change. The name of the project is called the Mindful Climate Action or MCA. PNM’er Kelly Schwartz participated in a similar pilot study two years ago. Her guest is Maggie Grabow Koszewski, Postdoc trainee, research Fellow, and co-investigator in the study. Maggie explains that MCA teaches participants how they can enhance happiness and well-being through mindfulness, such as meditation. But also, recognizing your own carbon footprint, and then learning how to change that behavior, can also help in one’s own well-being.

The second pilot study has a start date of July 10. So the researchers are recruiting participants NOW to sign up for the study. These pilot studies are dry runs for a more extensive, larger case study to gain and change attitudes for a more grass-roots approach to climate change.

To learn more about MCA, or to sign up for the study, please click on the Mindful Climate Action website.