Solastalgia, place attachment and disruption: insights from a coastal community on the front line

Abstract

We explore how solastalgia, a concept that describes distress and inability to derive solace from one’s environment caused by disruptive environmental change, is currently being experienced by a community in southeast Ireland as they struggle to cope with place disruption through loss of a beach by coastal erosion. We analyse relationships between empirical measurements of solastalgia, place attachment and place disruption as well as their association with community outlook for the future. Results indicate that solastalgia, resulting from loss of place, is experienced by almost half of residents, especially those who have lived in the area >20 years. Seasonal variation exists for residents who experience the highest levels of solastalgia, with expression strongest in summer. We find that solastalgia is positively correlated with place attachment; those having higher levels of place attachment express stronger feelings of solastalgia and impacts to their lives due to loss of place. Place attachment is most weakly expressed through place dependence, suggesting ongoing adaptation of relationships with place. We find that solastalgia is positively correlated with negative statements regarding future outlook. However, negative outlooks are moderated for those with high levels of place attachment, despite experiencing solastalgia. Given the vulnerability of coastal environments and communities to climate change, understanding and assessing solastalgia will be critical to helping communities navigate environmental disruption.