Cross-Cultural Approaches to Understanding the Emotional Geographies of Climate Change by Margaret V. du Bray A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Approved February 2017 by the Graduate Supervisory Committee: Amber Wutich, Co-Chair Shauna BurnSilver, Co-Chair Bob Bolin ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY May 2017 ABSTRACT Climate change poses a threat to the emotional well-being and livelihood strategies of individuals in biophysically vulnerable communities. While the biophysical effects and possibilities of climate change are well-documented, understanding the emotional impacts on individuals in these communities is an avenue of research that requires more exploration. Using an ethnographic approach, this study analyzes the emotional responses of individuals, first in three biophysically vulnerable communities in the United States, and second, in island communities. Study sites in the United States include Mobile, Alabama; Kodiak, Alaska; and Phoenix, Arizona, each of which have different vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change. Internationally, we conducted research in Viti Levu, Fiji; Nicosia, Cyprus; Wellington, New Zealand; and London, England. Using the 2014 Global Ethnohydrology Study Protocol respondents were asked about their emotional responses to the current effects of climate change, the effects of climate change on livelihoods in their area, and the effects of climate change on the younger generation. Using cross-cultural data allows for a broader understanding of emotional distress and wellbeing in response to climate change in areas with similar expected climate change outcomes, although with different levels of biophysical vulnerability, as well as understanding emotional distress and wellbeing in areas with different expected climate change outcomes, and similar levels of biophysical vulnerability. Results from this research can be used to understand possible mental health outcomes, the possibilities for political activism, and how to create mitigation strategies that resonate with local community members. i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This research is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation awards SES-0951366 (Decision Center for a Desert City II: Urban Climate Adaptation), SES-1462086 (DMUU: DCDC III: Transformational Solutions for Urban Water Sustainability Transitions in the Colorado River Basin), BCS-1026865 and DEB- 0423704 (Central-Arizona Phoenix Long-term Ecological Research), and the Arizona State University Late Lessons from Early History initiative. Dr. Amber Wutich and Dr. Shauna BurnSilver, the two co-chairs of this dissertation, have continuously provided their support, advice, and encouragement. They have both been integral in shaping my development as a researcher, scholar, and person, and I can’t thank them enough. Dr. Alexandra Brewis has also been essential in my development as a scholar, and has provided mentorship and support. Dr. Bob Bolin has been incredibly helpful as a professor and as a committee member. He has lent his time and expertise to many of my projects, and has provided comedic relief on many occasions. Additionally, I owe a thank you to Dr. Kelli Larson and Dr. Dave White, both of whom have been incredible collaborators on this project, and who provided advice and interesting discussion on other projects. I owe a great thank you to many people in Phoenix who were with me as I worked on this project, and on graduate school in general. To all of my peers and students in the Culture, Health, and Environment Lab: thank you so much for your empathy, support, and levity you bring to each day. Particular thanks go to Liza Kurtz and Rhian Stotts for ii sticking through tough times and funny times, and for all the coffee, tea, and biscuits they’ve provided. I have also had an incredible support network outside of Phoenix. My parents, Ed du Bray and Libby Vernon, along with my sister, Kate du Bray, have provided advice, sympathy, and endless hugs over the years. Thank you all for supporting me in everything I do, and for encouraging me to keep reaching for my dreams. To my Tweedle Dum, Meghan: thank you for hosting me in Alaska, for supportive cards, and for long phone calls. To Ashley, my wifey: thank you for coming to visit me my first year, for offering your family as a second family, and for hanging tight with me through thick and thin. To my Whitman family, and especially to Ian: thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support, for being there for late night phone calls, and for playing ridiculous card games with me. Thank you all for being a wonderful biological and found family, and for always being there with patience, love, and acceptance. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ................................................................................................................. PAGE LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 Global Ethnohydrology Study ............................................................................................ 3 Research Objectives ............................................................................................................ 5 Dissertation Organization ................................................................................................. 11 References ......................................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................. 18 LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................. 18 Bringing emotion back into anthropology ........................................................................ 18 Valence: Positivity and Negativity in Emotional Geographies ........................................ 24 Gender and emotion .......................................................................................................... 26 Emotional geographies and climate change ...................................................................... 30 Vulnerability and climate change ..................................................................................... 32 Climate change, emotional geographies, and environmental justice ................................ 35 The current study .............................................................................................................. 37 iv CHAPTER ................................................................................................................. PAGE References ......................................................................................................................... 39 CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................... 46 HOPE AND WORRY: GENDERED EMOTIONAL GEOGRAPHIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN THREE VULNERABLE US COMMUNITIES ........................................ 46 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 46 Literature Review.............................................................................................................. 47 Research Questions and Design ........................................................................................ 50 Study Sites ........................................................................................................................ 51 Methods............................................................................................................................. 54 Results ............................................................................................................................... 57 Gendered Differences in Emotion Words in Context ....................................................... 62 Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 64 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 67 Works Cited ...................................................................................................................... 62 CHAPTER FOUR ............................................................................................................. 79 EMOTION, COPING, AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN ISLAND NATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE* ............................................... 79 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 80 v CHAPTER ................................................................................................................. PAGE Methods............................................................................................................................. 83 Discussion ........................................................................................................................