On Friday, January 17, 2025, the Institute hosted a significant event as part of the 4th Franco-Australian Formal Opening of the CDMO (Centre for Maritime and Ocean Law). Held under the theme "Ocean, Emotions, and Planetary Boundaries," the event featured an exclusive interview with Glenn Albrecht, an Australian philosopher and author of the concept of "solastalgia," who shared his unique perspective on the connections between the environment, emotions, and climate change.
In this interview, Glenn Albrecht explores the deep connections between human emotions and the environment, particularly the ocean. He introduces the concept of “solastalgia,” which he coined in 2003 to describe the psychological distress caused by the degradation of one’s local environment. Unlike nostalgia, which is the longing for a homeland when away from it, solastalgia is the pain experienced when witnessing the destruction or deterioration of a familiar environment.
Glenn Albrecht emphasizes that this form of suffering is especially relevant in today’s context of climate change and the destruction of marine ecosystems. He advocates for the recognition of these emotions in public debates and environmental policies to better understand and address the psychological impacts of ecological decline.
This interview offers a poignant perspective on how the transformations of our planet affect our emotional well-being and calls for collective awareness to protect our environment.
