New groups on climate change

Two new BPS ‘task and finish’ groups are looking for members to examine the impact of climate change on health, and psychology’s role in social, organisational and individual change in the face of the climate crisis.

Chaired by Dr Tony Wainwright (University of Exeter) the Climate and Environmental Crisis workstream of the BPS Ethics Committee will have a social, organisational and individual change group to explore and coordinate the contributions that psychology and psychologists can make to increasing the understanding of psychological aspects of change, and look to increase the application of this knowledge. They will examine the relationship between the individual and the collective and the individual and the state, the role of public consultation, activism and collective action from a psychological perspective, how to communicate with different groups, and levers for change in organisations and individuals.

The health task and finish group will work to identify and develop the contribution that psychology and psychologists can make to increasing the understanding of the climate crisis on health as well as the psychological impact of physical health problems. Specifically it will look at the psychological and health impacts of climate change, extreme weather events, climate anxiety, protection against burnout for those working to tackle the climate crisis, the relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate crisis, and the vulnerabilities of different groups and communities both in the UK and internationally.

Both groups will explore the existing literature, produce briefing papers and host webinars on related topics. The BPS has encouraged people from all backgrounds to apply and particularly those from underrepresented groups – including those who have a disability, people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, and LGBT+ people.

– For more information on how to get involved email [email protected] 

Find much more on climate change in our archive.

Illustration: Tim Sanders