Piercing power in our closest relationships

From the moment I saw the title 'My Extinction' and the poster depicting a submerged London, I felt that familiar tug of climate dread in the pit of my stomach, coupled with the ever-present instinct to avoid said feelings.

But as a climate-aware psychologist and parent, I have learned to get over myself and lean into the discomfort – for the sake of my children, if nothing else. So I did 'lean in' and loved it.

This journey-of-climate-activism documentary is authentic and inspiring. Frankly, it was a welcome relief to see some of my own experiences of navigating climate action reflected back with relatable humour. Appignanesi is very likable, voicing a lot of the more 'human' thoughts that hold us back, like 'I guess I am a bit cautious about availability for stuff' and the repeating 'I can't afford to get arrested'. His honesty somehow gives us permission not to do climate action 'perfectly'.

However, the piercing power of this film lies the close-ups of his innocent sleeping children, or of their toys lying on the ground as the parents talk. In these moments, we're invited to consider their altered and uncertain futures. It mirrors my own most intimate and excruciating moments as a mother. But these moments are also shown as the motivation to act and make sacrifices.

On the way to inspirational action, we see him grapple with the moral decision to turn down a lucrative piece of work for Esso.

A financial and career blow for him, but a small triumph for humanity. I'm sure his children are proud.

Some of my favourite parts of the film are the evening chats with his wife, Dr Devorah Baum, a wise and deeply empathic source of support. He asks her 'We all know why people are climate deniers…. why they have their heads in the sand... the question is, why they suddenly don't? That's the story.'

For me as a climate-aware psychologist, the story is this: We can shout into the void with webinars and guidance documents, but it's our closest relationships that are the true drivers and motivators for change. Let's nurture them.

Find My Extinction screenings.

Reviewed by Dr Louise Edgington, Educational Psychologist, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and BPS Climate and Environment Action Coordinating Group