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Andrés Cester
CEO & Co-Founder
Environmental change impacts not only ecosystems but also the mental well-being of individuals and communities. Solastalgia is a term that encapsulates the distress people experience when their home environment undergoes significant changes. For businesses, the concept of solastalgia signals more than just social concern; it highlights potential risks to employee productivity, community relations, and corporate reputation.
This article explores what solastalgia is, why it matters for businesses, and how proactive strategies can mitigate its negative impacts.
Solastalgia combines the Latin word “solacium” (comfort) and the Greek root “-algia” (pain). Coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht, the term refers to the emotional or existential distress caused by environmental transformation, whether due to climate change, industrial development, or resource extraction.
Unlike nostalgia, which is homesickness for a place left behind, solastalgia is the pain experienced while still living in a changing or degraded home environment.
Addressing solastalgia means recognizing that mental health is intertwined with the health of our surroundings. A human-centered approach requires listening to community concerns and involving them in decision-making processes. By doing so, companies not only safeguard their social license to operate but also foster a sense of shared responsibility for local ecosystems.
Consider a mining corporation operating in a region with a high dependency on local agriculture. Over time, groundwater depletion and dust emissions begin to erode the agricultural landscape, prompting solastalgia among farmers. By implementing a robust restoration program—such as water reclamation initiatives, reforestation, and community-led monitoring—this company can mitigate the environmental impact and address the emotional toll on local residents.
Mitigating solastalgia isn’t just a moral obligation; it also makes good business sense. By investing in environmental resilience and community well-being, companies reduce the risk of public backlash, secure long-term resource availability, and foster a loyal local workforce. Additionally, forward-thinking investors increasingly prioritize ESG metrics that reflect how businesses handle community impacts.
Solastalgia highlights the profound, often underappreciated, link between environmental health and mental well-being. For businesses, overlooking this connection can lead to conflicts, reputational damage, and a demotivated workforce. However, by proactively addressing solastalgia through robust environmental safeguards, community engagement, and mental health support, companies can transform potential risks into opportunities for positive impact.
Proactively tackling solastalgia isn’t just good ethics—it’s a strategic move for any organization looking to thrive in an era of rapidly changing environments.
Andrés Cester
CEO & Co-Founder
About the author
Andrés Cester is the CEO of Manglai, a company he co-founded in 2023. Before embarking on this project, he was co-founder and co-CEO of Colvin, where he gained experience in leadership roles by combining his entrepreneurial vision with the management of multidisciplinary teams. He leads Manglai’s strategic direction by developing artificial intelligence-based solutions to help companies optimize their processes and reduce their environmental impact.
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