Developing a typology of climate grief expressions in Canada: a scoping review

Increasing temperatures, severe storms, wildfires, and melting sea ice have made climate change a reality for Canadians. Climatic change can cause experiences of grieving and loss, often termed ‘climate grief.’ Our objective was to better understand emotions related to climate change by developing a typology illustrating the ways people in Canada express climate grief. In a scoping review (in English and French) of databases, popular media, social media, and art, we identified nine primary ‘mediums’ through which climate grief is discussed and expressed: (i) peer-reviewed research; (ii) grey literature; (iii) guiding frameworks; (iv) education; (v) social action gathering; (vi) mental health support; (vii) religions and spiritual practice; (viii) artistic expression; and (ix) media. Additionally, within those mediums we identified and categorized 26 forms of expression (secondary), and 40 types of expression (tertiary). Our review collected sources until 2022 and found that people in Canada express climate grief through diverse mediums, spanning Canadian provinces and territories. This typology can strengthen education, learning, and environmental decision-making to find new avenues to support the emotional and physical toll climate change can have on people in Canada.