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Beyond Ecological Grief
Grief in the Valley
As the Site C reservoir floods the Peace River Valley in northern B.C., farmers and members of Blueberry River First Nations witness their land, wildlife, and ancestral territory disappear beneath an unfamiliar lake.
Ken Boon and Georgina Yahey trace decades of political struggle, resistance, and eventual loss, alongside the emotional weight of watching their home vanish in real time.
Meanwhile, climate psychologist Britt Wray introduces the idea of ecological grief — the mourning that comes from losing ecosystems, species, and places we depend on — and questions whether traditional models of grief can capture this kind of collective, ongoing loss.
Beyond Ecological Grief is a six-part series about how people live with profound loss in a changing world, and what it means to carry grief, justice, and hope forward.
With support from the Trebek Initiative.
Episode credits:
Blueberry River territory soundscapes courtesy of Blueberry River First Nations.
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Beyond Ecological Grief Trailer
03:01|Beyond Ecological Grief is a six-part podcast, hosted by Amy Romer, investigating the emotional realities of living through a planetary health crisis. Guided by the five stages of grief, each episode follows a personal story — from scientists to land defenders and youth — whose ties to land and history shape how they respond to a rapidly changing world. Intimate interviews and in-depth reporting trace how eco-grief shows up as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. When the place that shaped you is threatened — or destroyed — what does it take to keep going and take action?Beyond Ecological Grief is published weekly by Canada’s National Observer from June 15.
2. Climate of Denial
46:12||Season 1, Ep. 2Most people accept that climate change is real. So why is it still so difficult to fully confront what it means?In this episode, host Amy Romer explores the first stage of grief: denial.Climate psychologist Britt Wray explains how denial can function as a coping mechanism, while climate scientist Simon Donner examines why some climate messages resonate and others fall flat. Together, they explore the gap between understanding the climate crisis and acting on it.The episode also follows a landmark youth-led climate lawsuit in Ontario, where activists Sophia Mathur and Beze Gray are challenging the provincial government’s climate targets in court. As politicians delay action and fossil fuel interests continue to shape public opinion, the case raises a larger question: can the legal system succeed where politics has failed?Beyond Ecological Grief is a six-part series about how people live with profound loss in a changing world, and what it means to carry grief, justice, and hope forward.With support from the Trebek Initiative.