Stories of Hope: a response to the ‘psychology of despair’

Summary This paper begins by considering some of the dilemmas and complexities of living in post‐modern times and the particular problems that this poses for those teaching about environmental and global issues. It then identifies the crucial importance of hope in periods of turbulent change and describes a research project designed to investigate the sources of hope and inspiration that such educators draw on. In this the natural environment emerges both as a cause for concern and also as one of many vital sources of hope. Finally, comments are made on some of the implications of this research for teaching and learning and the need for educators themselves to identify a pedagogy of hope.