What Elizabeth Dunn has said about Climate change communication
2 quotes · 1 episode · Sep 4, 2026
Elizabeth Dunn, Social psychologist and happiness researcher at the University of British Columbia, co-author of Leave the Lights On, has been quoted on Climate change communication 2 times in 1 episode of TED Radio Hour, most recently on September 4, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Dunn argues that doom-and-gloom climate messaging captured attention but did not motivate action.
“But the problem is doom and gloom messaging doesn't necessarily motivate action. Negative emotions get exhausting over time”
TED Radio Hour: Less guilt, more joy: A new chapter for climate action (Sep 4, 2026) · Listen from 6:04
Dunn reports that in a global mega study the doom message was widely shared but undermined willingness to take more effortful action.
“this doom and gloom message actually undermined people's willingness to take a more effortful form of action”
TED Radio Hour: Less guilt, more joy: A new chapter for climate action (Sep 4, 2026) · Listen from 5:32
Episodes
Less guilt, more joy: A new chapter for climate actionTED Radio Hour · Sep 4, 2026 · 50 min
Manoush Zomorodi talks with social psychologist Elizabeth Dunn about climate actions that also increase happiness, featuring co-author Jiaying Zhao's TED Talk.
Elizabeth Dunn on other topics
- Air travel emissions · 2 quotes
- Climate change · 2 quotes
- Clean energy · 2 quotes
- Social tipping points · 1 quote
- Online shopping environmental impact · 1 quote
- Social contagion · 1 quote
- Plant-based diet · 1 quote
- Happiness · 1 quote