The Green Mind

Finding the human place in nature

Kenneth Worthy Ph.D.

The Head-in-the-Sand President

Ignorance may be bliss, but only for a moment. When Trump ignores or deletes climate data, he imperils the planet and all of us.

Beef Down, Atmosphere Up

You can feel the benefits of eating less meat, but you should also be aware that it’s a boon to the planet.

The War is ON, and Nature Will Not Lose—People Will

Who will be the losers of Trump’s war on nature? Humans.

Top Excuses for Trashing the Planet (and Other People)

What are your favorite excuses for complacency in the face of environmental destruction? And what are your favorite ways of being a good Earth citizen?

The Fantasy of Control and Compartmentalization

The idea that we can contain and limit the damages of the harmful products that industry creates is based on a fantasy.

A Deadly Embrace of Ignorance

The new ascendance of deception and disavowal of truth could mean disaster for Earth and its people unless we act.

Three Ways to Reduce Animal Agriculture

Research shows that different techniques should be used for people in different stages of moving toward less meat and dairy in their diets. Which category are you in?

How (Another) Industry Tried to Fool Us About Our Health

Oil, tobacco...now the sugar industry caught trying to manipulate consumers.

Eutierria: Becoming One With Nature

Are we one with nature? Have you ever had the experience of eutierria?

Fear, Division, Trump, and Collapse

Recent political developments—the rise of Trump and the Brexit—have many people flabbergasted. Do they mean something more fundamental for the sustainability of modern society?

Soliphilia and Other Ways of Loving a Planet

Love for nature and despair over its deterioration both get swept under the carpet of everyday experience. Naming them can bring them both to the surface and liberate us to act.

Eco-Indulgences for Eco-Sin?

Climate disruption has arrived and is worsening. Many solutions are possible. Are carbon offsets a viable one, or do they merely alleviate guilt and promote more carbon sin?

Fear, Loathing, and Denial at the End of the World

The antics of some presidential candidates—shouting, insults, sexism, and racism—are making many people cringe. We need adults in the room to deal with society’s major problems.

Dirty Little Secrets of Exxon

The fossil fuel industry has mimicked the cigarette industry in keeping the huge downside of their products from the public eye. Generations will live with these consequences.

Planet Earth Thanks You, 2015

This year, 2015, may be a banner year for the environment. Let’s celebrate the major good news for Earth.

The Quietly Burning Earth

Fires are raging out of control in Indonesia today, decimating vast areas of forests. Journalist George Monbiot writes, “A great tract of Earth is on fire and threatened species are being driven out of their habitats. This is a crime against humanity and nature.” Our search for food made with cheap palm oil means we all have a hand in this “eco-apocalypse.”

Earth to Humans: Why Have You Forsaken Me? Limited Behavior

What are the psychological roadblocks that explain why we’re not doing much to solve global climate change—a phenomenon that threatens the core of our society? This is the seventh and final post in a seven-part series.

Earth to Humans: Why Have You Forsaken Me? Perceived Risk

What are the psychological roadblocks that explain why we’re not doing much to solve global climate change—a phenomenon that threatens the core of our society? This is the sixth post in a seven-part series.

Earth to Humans: Why Have You Forsaken Me? Discredence

What are the psychological roadblocks that explain why we’re not doing much to solve global climate change—a phenomenon that threatens the core of our society? This is the fifth installment in a seven-part series.

Earth to Humans: Why Have You Forsaken Me? Sunk Costs

What are the psychological roadblocks that explain why we’re not doing much to solve global climate change—a phenomenon that threatens the core of our society? This is the fourth post in a seven-part series.

Earth to Humans: Why Have You Forsaken Me? Poor Comparisons

What are the psychological roadblocks that explain why we’re not doing much to solve global climate change—a phenomenon that threatens the core of our society? This is the third post in a seven-part series.

Earth to Humans: Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me? Ideologies

What are the psychological roadblocks that explain why we’re not doing much to solve global climate change—a phenomenon that threatens the core of our society? This is the second post in a seven-part series.

Earth to Humans: Why Have You Forsaken Me? Cognition

What are the psychological roadblocks that explain why we’re not trying hard at all to solve global climate change—a phenomenon that threatens the core of our society? The first post in a seven part series.

Cooperation Is Natural

Nature contact facilitates mental and physical development, improves learning, makes us more cooperative, and promotes pro-environmental choices. These are the qualities we need for a prosperous society and that negotiators in tough negotiations need for positive results.

The Self-Deceptions of Recycling

It’s important to keep in mind that recycling not only takes large amounts of energy and resources to turn materials into products again, it also may lead to greater consumption and avoidance of better solutions. It’s better to instead focus on the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Departing Earth

Scientists, engineers, and science fiction writers have long imagined leaving Earth to colonize space, but now a budding company is accepting volunteers to become astronauts on a one-way trip to Mars. Is this just the first wave of permanent departures from our home planet—a long exodus in which forsake our precious Earth?

Are Plants Entering the Realm of the Sentient?

Some people are still grappling with the idea that humans are not the only animals with intelligence, thought, and consciousness. Some scientists are now studying whether even plants have intelligence—sensation, awareness, integration of information, long-term memory, and adaptive learning. Their findings challenge human uniqueness.

The Eco-Pope?

Pope Francis may be set to become the world leader on climate change and perhaps environmental protection more generally. Could his brave initiative break the logjam of climate denialism rife among U.S. conservatives?

Elitism and Climate Change Denialism

How can we begin to address the society-threatening damages caused by climate change when one of our major political parties is wholly set against action? Congressional Republicans stand alone in the industrialized world as the only major political party to refuse to acknowledge the threat. The will to dominate other people and nature may factor into their recalcitrance.

Sensing Turtles

Did you know that sea turtles help create the beaches that we love? And that they’re getting crowded out of those same beaches by people wanting easy access for recreation? Nerds to the rescue! Here’s an example of technology that unites people with nature rather than dividing the two.

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