Positive Psychology and Ecology   

An Inquiry into Our Emotional Relationship with Nature

Over the past twenty years, two fields that seemed to have little in common have both sought to understand human well-being. On one side, positive psychology, which studies how positive emotions arise, are sustained, and contribute to our well-being and happiness. On the other, the sciences of biodiversity conservation, which aim to protect and preserve nature.

This book by Lisa Garnier is an inquiry into these two vibrant areas of research, where science is rediscovering the crucial value of relationships. Backed by statistics, it reveals how much serenity and happiness we can find both with others and in our contact with nature.

In this conference, Lisa Garnier will present her latest work, which explores the intersection of positive psychology and biodiversity conservation.

A biodiversity specialist and former journalist, Lisa Garnier has conducted numerous investigations and reports for Ushuaïa Nature magazine and for the global expedition Tara Oceans. Active in theatre and photography, she also worked at the French National Museum of Natural History, where she developed participatory experiences and managed the blog of the citizen nature observatories, Vigie-Nature. She appears in a documentary on flowering plants, broadcast on Arte in spring 2019. She was also winner of the Usine Nouvelle Industry Women Awards: “Sustainable Development Woman of the Year 2022.”

This discussion will be moderated in French and English by  Joëlle Noailly (Senior Lecturer, International Economics, IHEID).

Participants with a passive understanding of French are encouraged to attend as the author also speaks English.

This conference is organised by the Institute's Sustainability Initiative, in partnership with the City of Geneva, the Hoffmann Centre for Global Sustainability, the Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs (TESS) and the Student Environmental Committee.

A cocktail reception will follow the conference.

PARTNERS