Emotions matter: Raising awareness about the importance of emotions for sustainability students and their well-being

Sammanfattning: Due to the focus of their study program, environmental and sustainability students are vulnerable to experience negative emotional impacts, potentially affecting their mental health. This thesis contributes to increased understanding of emotions and emotional resilience in relation to the climate crisis by examining experienced emotions, studying the power students have over their emotions, and potential supporting measures. A mixed methodology approach of quantitative and qualitative data was applied, and an online survey and interviews were conducted with students of sustainability and environmental programs at Lund University, Sweden. The findings indicate that students mainly experience negative emotions, impacting their behavior and well-being. Students perceive to have limited power over their emotions, especially negative emotions. The university and faculty are seen as important actors to support students with different initiatives. Emotions play a vital role to address sustainability challenges and increased emotional resilience can foster lasting commitment towards sustainability science and sustainability issues.