It’s safe to say that most people wouldn’t initially connect dyslexia, a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts spelling and language (affecting 15-20% of Americans and 10% of the global population), with an environmental issue like climate change. However, new research suggests a surprising link between dyslexia and the development of effective strategies to mitigate climate change and improve ecological sustainability. This connection stems from a fascinating new perspective on human cognitive evolution. Dubbed “Complementary Cognition”, this theory overlaps with the neurodiversity movement in proposing that, rather than having minds that work uniformly, humans have evolved to specialize in ways of processing information that are different, but complementary. The new study, conducted in 2021 by researchers Helen Taylor, Brice Fernandes, and Sara Wraight, is partially based on research from Professor Richard Potts, founder of the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program. Potts’ “Variability Selection” hypothesis proposes that rather than adapting to one particular environment, human evolution was shaped by environmental instability. As a result, humans evolved characteristics allowing us to be better at adaptation itself, enabling us to survive in a variety of different habitats. Far from being a drawback, different cognitive specializations enhance collaboration, as diverse ways of thinking enable solutions that wouldn’t be possible with just one individual or with a group of individuals thinking the same way.
The Urgency of Protecting the Environment
Collaboration between people of different neurotypes couldn’t come at a more critical time for our planet and humanity. Climate change has an incredibly destabilizing and damaging effect on the systems civilization depends on. with drought leading to crop failure, flooding destroying infrastructure, and changing rainfall leading to water shortages. As Kieran Setiya, a professor of philosophy at MIT, points out, if humans do nothing to slow climate change, global temperatures may increase by 4.5 degrees Celsius or more by 2100. This, Setiya observes, would be “cataclysmic”, as the Earth has not been that warm in millions of years, and such temperature spikes have historically been connected to mass extinction events that have killed off entire species. “The question of what happens to the human species,” Setiya was quoted as saying by Climate.MIT.Edu, “is, do we make progress toward a more just and egalitarian future? Or do we end up descending into conflict and sectarianism and nationalism? That is at stake in our reaction to climate change.” At a time when the stakes have never been higher, the varied skills and talents of people who are neurodivergent are urgently needed to develop lasting, workable solutions. People who are neurodivergent need to be part of that climate change conversation, which intersects with improving inclusion and equity in employment, as fair-wage employment gives those who are neurodivergent a much greater opportunity to share their insights and perspectives.
Complementary Cognition and Protecting the Environment
In their essay on Complementary Cognition, Kate Tointon and Dr. Helen Taylor write that according to the new research, people with dyslexia often have minds that excel in exploration, invention, experimentation, and discovery. This means that many people with dyslexia are adept at identifying the root causes of problems, anticipating long-term trends, braving the unknown, and developing original strategies and technological solutions. Anthony Hobley, Co-Executive Director of the Mission Possible Partnership, describes people with dyslexia as “humanity’s natural systems thinkers. I am convinced that their unique abilities will have brought them into the climate change area. I believe that the human race has a small number of us who are wired to worry about the big picture and the future as part of our collective survival strategy.”
Pushing back against the stigmatization of dyslexia and neurodiversity in general, Tointon and Taylor write that the talent for innovation and experimentation of many dyslexic individuals can be extremely valuable in addressing complex problems like climate change. Interestingly, Tointon and Taylor suggest that the aptitude of people with dyslexia for envisioning the future and finding new ways to adapt might be why so many work in the sustainability sector. As they astutely point out: “Imagine what we could achieve if we redesigned our existing systems.” They believe that complementary cognition could be a viable framework for helping different groups collaborate more successfully, allowing sustainability challenges to be solved in much more effective ways.
Neurodivergent Insights into Climate Change and Sustainability
Tointon and Taylor are not the only ones to recognize the link between a passion for sustainability and the environment and neurodivergence. In her article “Dyslexic Thinking for Sustainability”, Solitaire Townsend, an eco-entrepreneur, author, and sustainability solutionist with dyslexia, writes that she was curious about how many other dyslexic individuals, or those with other forms of neurodivergence, are involved in change-making and sustainability. To answer the question, Townsend conducted a poll asking individuals who work in sustainability, justice, climate, or environmental, social, and governance (ESG) whether they identify as neurotypical, have been diagnosed as being neurodivergent, or feel that they are neurodivergent without necessarily having a diagnosis. She was surprised to find that out of 250 respondents, 57% identified as being neurodivergent, with or without a diagnosis. At the same time, Townsend writes that the results were not entirely unexpected, as being neurodivergent is often associated with a sense of justice, equity, and fairness, reflected in influential historical figures like Albert Einstein, Mother Theresa, and Carl Jung, who are all speculated to have been dyslexic and/or on the autism spectrum (in Einstein’s case).
Townsend outlines 5 approaches to tackling global challenges that reflect the dyslexic and neurodivergent mindset:
- Assume You’re Wrong – be aware of how you might have misinterpreted someone or something, making your judgments more considered as a result.
- Question Everything – Question systems and why things are the way they are, rather than blindly accepting the status quo.
- Be Itched by Injustice – Recognize injustices in the world and have a passion to address them.
- Find Another Way – Utilize unconventional approaches to problem-solving.
- Try Anything – Don’t be afraid to try strategies and take paths that are uncharted.
Townsend’s suggestions provide a model for turning neurodivergent qualities and life experiences into strengths that can change society for the better. “If neurodiverse people evolved in response to environmental crisis,” she asks, “could we help solve our current one?”
Other disability rights advocates with dyslexia have also noted the link between inclusion and equality for people with disabilities and protecting the environment. In a 2025 interview with Climate Justice Center, disability rights advocate Puneet Singh Singhal describes the experience of growing up in Delhi, India as someone with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and a stutter. “Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world,” Singhal said, “with extreme heatwaves and environmental degradation a harsh daily reality. As someone living with dyspraxia, dyslexia, and a stutter, my daily life was already filled with barriers—whether it was navigating the education system, dealing with accessibility issues, or just managing basic tasks.” Singhal added that the extreme heatwaves in the city, combined with the lack of accessible public spaces and public transportation, made it even harder to function. Experiencing those challenges strengthened his belief that the intersection of disability and climate change isn’t just about convenience, but is a matter of survival for people with disabilities the world over. “Disabled people must be empowered to hold leadership roles in the climate movement. Providing training, resources, and platforms for disabled climate activists will ensure that disabled voices are not only included but also amplified in global climate action.”
To make a difference, Singhal launched the Green Disability Initiative, a community organization working at the intersection of disability rights, climate justice, gentrification, and mental health. He is also the co-founder of Billion Strong, an organization empowering people with disabilities worldwide. Through his advocacy, Singhal embodies the power of people with dyslexia and other forms of neurodivergence to confront some of the most pressing issues facing society. ‘‘Disabled people must be empowered to hold leadership roles in the climate movement,” Singhal says. ‘‘Whether it’s through support for advocacy, innovation, or community organizing, enabling disabled individuals to take the lead will foster more inclusive climate solutions.’’
Joanna McElnea, Creative Spirit’s Director of Learning and Development, has also shared her perspective as a professional with dyslexia, specifically with regard to neurodiverse employment. “In light of the recent comments regarding dyslexic incompetence,” she said, “I wanted to share a perspective on why these cognitive differences are actually a major asset and a business imperative. With 20% of the current workforce identifying as neurodivergent—and 53% of Gen Z self-identifying the same way—the ability to attract and retain this talent is now a competitive necessity. These pillars of dyslexic thinking align beautifully with what we’ve been working on at HireDifferent Academy and Creative Spirit. We’ve built a comprehensive training and certification program to help employers embrace these diverse strengths and future-proof their workforce. They’re a great reminder to stay curious and keep pushing for better solutions.”
Director of Learning and Development at Creative Spirit
While research into neurodiversity and the human mind is still ongoing, one thing is clear: to tackle threats to the planet like global warming, embracing neurodivergence is an absolute imperative. Society needs minds that break away from the supposed “norm” and aren’t afraid to explore the unknown, delivering strategies that are bold and unconventional. A paradigm shift is also urgently needed for people who are “neurotypical”. Society needs to transition from ableism towards recognizing that collaboration between those who are neurodivergent and neurotypical is fundamental to humanity’s future. By appreciating the talents and skills of individuals who are neurodivergent, we can make workplaces much more innovative and inclusive, and create a greener, more sustainable future for everyone.
Sources
“How Dyslexia Could Help Humans Adapt to Climate Change.” World Economic Forum, 2022,
www.weforum.org/stories/2022/03/how-dyslexia-could-help-humans-adapt-to-climate-change/.
Taylor, Helen, Brice Fernandes, and Sara Wraight. “The Evolution of Complementary Cognition: Humans Cooperatively Adapt and Evolve through a System of Collective Cognitive Search.” Cambridge Archaeological Journal, Cambridge University Press*,
www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-archaeological-journal/article/evolution-of-complementary-cognition-humans-cooperatively-adapt-and-evolve-through-a-system-of-collective-cognitive-search/F198B30682343E92C7E9C986332D380A.
Solitaire Townsend. “Dyslexic Thinking for Sustainability.” Forbes, 22 Jan. 2023,
www.forbes.com/sites/solitairetownsend/2023/01/22/dyslexic-thinking-for-sustainability/.
“There Is No Climate Justice without Disability Justice.” Climate Justice Center, 2025,
www.climatejusticecenter.org/newsletter/there-is-no-climate-justice-without-disability-justice.
“Why Dyslexic Thinking Is Critical for Sustainability.” University of Strathclyde Business School,
www.sbs.strath.ac.uk/blogs/SBS/post.aspx?id=1482.
Moseman, Andrew. “Why Do Some People Call Climate Change an ‘Existential Threat’?” MIT Climate Portal, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 7 Nov. 2023,https://climate.mit.edu/ask-mit/why-do-some-people-call-climate-change-existential-threat
