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Rising seas, monster storms, hotter summers, growing aridity: as if the environmental effects of climate change aren’t bad enough, the climate crisis is also a disaster for human health and well-being. Researchers have noticed a rise of climate grief, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. There has also been an increase in interpersonal aggression and violence, impaired cognition and brain function, preterm births and low birthweight. The list goes on.
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“Over just the past couple of years we’ve seen a rapid and much-needed shift in the recognition of the massive mental-health implications that climate change poses,” says Ezra MarkowitzUMass Amherst professor of environmental conservation. “Policymakers, mental health organizations, the medical profession and even the general public are increasingly aware of the toll climate change takes on our health. But there are many things that can and should be done to prepare. We’re already seeing these impacts and they are compounding pre-existing challenges and inequities in our mental health care system,” says Ezra Markowitz.
To help mitigate the effects of climate change on our health, The American Psychological Association (APA) recently released a report, titled “A Plan for Psychologists to Address the Climate Crisis” the result of 18 months’ worth of study by more than 20 researchers—including Markowitz.
“Psychologists must use their scientific understanding of human behavior to address climate change—and while many already are, more need to be engaged,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, and the CEO of the APA. “This report articulates actions our field can take and how we can collaborate outside of the field of psychology to have the greatest impact.”
Markowitz and other members of the task team that produced the report spent months preparing a set of specific recommendations based on their collective understanding of the psychology behind climate change. Markowitz worked with a sub-group of the committee to develop recommendations for improving communication efforts within and outside the APA organization.
The report offered 12 recommendations, six for strengthening the field of psychology and six for broadening psychology’s impact. These recommendations include:
- All areas of psychology science can contribute to climate change research.
- Build psychologists’ capacities to support people in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
- All levels of psychology education must include coverage of climate change.
- Engage in sustained advocacy on climate changes to government at all levels, and to business and non-profit organisations.
- Psychologists can use this channel to get important information about climate change and how psychologists can help to make climate action more effective.
- Implement a strategic approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve sustainability across all of APA’s operations and in the psychological community.
- Encourage engagement of psychologists with policymakers, practitioners, and community members regarding climate change issues.
- Increase the number of locations and partnerships in which psychologists can address climate change.
- In the education of other professionals, promote coverage of the psychological aspects of climate changes.
- Partner with other scientific, professional and environmental organizations to promote climate change advocacy.
- Educate the general public about the psychological effects of climate change.
- Collaborate with other organizations and the general public to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve sustainability practices.
“Although we often treat climate change as a technical, scientific or even economic issue, at its core it is a challenge of human behavior. That’s why psychologists and others who study how we make decisions and respond to threats—as individuals, in groups and organizations and as entire societies—must be at the table, sharing their expertise and insight to help move us all forward in the right direction as quickly, effectively and equitably as we can.”
