Talks and shows

How climate change affects our minds

Award-winning journalist and neuroscientist Clayton Aldern reveals the expansive effect climate change is having on our minds, behaviour and wider health. 

Event image by Анастасия Климец via Pexels
Event image by Анастасия Климец via Pexels

This is not a talk about climate anxiety or the psychology of climate change — it is evidence of direct interventions of climate change on the human brain and mind.

Join Clayton Aldern as he narrates his journey around the world to meet the scientists and doctors working at the intersections of environmental science, psychology and neuroscience to synthesise a new, interdisciplinary approach to an unexplored field - the neuroscience of climate change. 

Clayton will provide clear evidence of the changes the climate crisis is making to our functioning - affecting everything from spikes in aggravated assault and lower levels of productivity, to the wellbeing of our children and the global dementia epidemic.

Learn how our wellbeing is directly linked to that of our planet - our beliefs, language, communities, culture, imagery and soundscapes are being warped by the repeated shocks and stresses of climate change, reshaping our very humanity from the inside out. But there is light. With understanding, compassion and learned resilience, we can learn to live in total empathy with our planet and act to save it. 

Copies of Clayton's latest book 'The weight of nature' will be available for purchase after the talk. 

Event type

This is a theatre only event where the speakers and audience are together in our Theatre.

By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants. Please note that Eventbrite adds a small booking fee to the amount paid for each ticket option.

For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About the Clayton Aldern

Clayton Aldern is a writer and data scientist interested in science and society. Based in the Pacific Northwest, he's currently working on a book about the effects of climate change and environmental degradation on neurochemistry, behaviour, decision-making, and mental and emotional health.

His writing has been published by The AtlanticThe EconomistScientific AmericanLogicGristSierra MagazineCrosscutUN Dispatch, and others. His reporting and data visualisation have been syndicated or otherwise republished by The GuardianThe New RepublicMother JonesVoxNewsweekSalon, Canada's National ObserverThe Texas ObserverMoyers & CompanyYes! MagazineAlterNetTruthoutFusionCityLabBusiness Insider, and elsewhere.

Previously, Clayton has worked in computational neuroscience, environmental journalism, and homelessness policy. Most recently, he led the data analysis and program evaluation team for homelessness programs at Pierce County, Washington. These days, he's building out a data-journalism unit at the national environmental magazine Grist. He also directs a data-science and machine-learning consultancy, serves as a research affiliate of the University of Washington's Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, and is a co-founding partner of the standards lab Standards International. Some of his recent projects in data science and policy evaluation are available here.

He holds a master's in neuroscience and public policy from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He is a Reynolds Journalism Institute Fellow, a Salzburg Global Fellow, a Seattle City Artist, and a Climate Reality Leader, among other honours. He has contributed to reporting teams that have won various awards, including a national Edward R. Murrow Award, multiple Online Journalism Awards, and the Breaking Barriers Award from the Institute for Nonprofit News. 

Timing

Doors to the theatre will open at 6.45pm and the talk will begin at 7.00pm.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Event terms and conditions