Carrying the Data, Carrying the Grief: Why Scientists Need Emotional Support

By Kristan Childs, CERI Faculty Member

Scientists have been sounding the alarm bell about climate change for decades. They have studied data, charted predictions, and warned the public. And yet we are still careening toward irreparable loss. Just this month, the Global Tipping Points report warned that we have likely passed the point of no return for coral reefs. Those wildly beautiful incubators of marine life that have existed for hundreds of millions of years - will likely be gone within most of our lifetimes.

I invite you to take a breath and notice how that lands in your body. What feelings arrive? Grief? Anger? Helplessness? Overwhelm?  

Scientists are trained to be objective and rational (for good reason), and to leave their emotions at the door. They may lose credibility if they show feelings about their work. But, of course, they are wholehearted people who often pursued science because of their love of the earth and passion for understanding it. As the ecological situation worsens, mental health distress for climate scientists is on the rise.  According to a 2019 feature in Eos, a team of researchers found a high rate of emotional despair and burnout among scientists, with some choosing to leave the profession. (Gilford et al., 2019) Add to that recent funding loss and job insecurity.

Despite the toll on scientists at this time, the answer simply cannot be for large numbers to leave the profession. We need scientists more than ever, and scientists need support. What might support look like? Here are things that help.

Understanding and honoring emotions. The act of simply discerning which feelings are present already begins to settle the nervous system. (Lieberman et al., 2007)  Seeing our distress as a healthy response to the world is validating and reminds us that our grief stems from our deep caring. 

Nervous system regulation. When we are highly distressed, we can shift into states of high agitation or shut-down. Learning practical tools to bring ourselves back into emotional regulation allows us to think clearly, access creativity, and handle difficulty with more ease.

Allowing the good. When we feel ecological despair, it can be hard to allow in joy, beauty, delight and other positive emotions, but these are essential to counter the more difficult feelings we hold. For example, experiencing awe (even virtually!) has been shown to reduce stress and increase resilience (Monroy et al., 2025) 

Undoing aloneness. Most scientists feel alone with their difficult feelings which creates an additional layer of distress. Coming together with like-minded peers and telling the truth of one's experience can increase empathy, reduce isolation and decrease burnout. This psychgological relief leaves scientists with more energy to engage in life and work. 

The challenges scientists face right now are not just intellectual or technical—they are deeply human. If you are feeling worn down, discouraged, or alone, it is not a personal failing; it is a natural response to doing this work in a world that is changing faster than our systems can adapt. Emotional resilience is not about becoming numb or “coping better” so you can push through—it is about learning how to stay connected to yourself, your values, and your capacity to care without burning out. With the right tools and community, it is possible to metabolize grief, restore nervous system balance, and reconnect with meaning and motivation in your work. You do not have to carry this alone. Building emotional resilience is a skill set—and one that can help you stay in the work you care about for the long haul.

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My colleague, Teddy Kellam, and I have been offering emotional support and resilience-building groups for scientists for years. Here are some comments from past participants: 

"My job has forced me to compartmentalize and detach." 

"This is the first time I've been able to share my feelings about my work." 

"I didn't realize just how much I had to harden my heart to do my work." 

"I had no idea how much I needed this." 

"I feel like a whole human now, and I'm not going back!" 

If you are a scientist or STEM professional, or work in a science-adjacent field, and have been struggling with eco-distress or burnout, please consider joining our upcoming program: The Grove- Changing the Culture of Science Together