This chapter discusses the need for robust psychologies in the context of the devastating global health impacts of climate breakdown, with particular focus on the psychological impacts. It describes temperature effects (suicide and other deaths, especially in the vulnerable), the traumatic impacts of repeated and one-off climate change related weather events, and the many varieties of eco-distress. It reflects on the profound and complex psychologies associated with inaction, avoidance and a clinging to ‘business as usual’ in high- and middle-income countries.
The Mental Health and Emotional Impacts of Climate Breakdown: Insights from Climate Psychology
2024
This chapter discusses the need for robust psychologies in the context of the devastating global health impacts of climate breakdown, with particular focus on the psychological impacts. It describes temperature effects (suicide and other deaths, especially in the vulnerable), the traumatic impacts of repeated and one-off climate change related weather events, and the many varieties of eco-distress. It reflects on the profound and complex psychologies associated with inaction, avoidance and a clinging to ‘business as usual’ in high- and middle-income countries.
Rebecca Nestor
I've been a member of CPA since about 2015. I became more actively involved in 2019 when I was doing a doctorate on the dynamics of climate organisations, and working with Gillian Broad to develop the climate café model. I find CPA an intellectual and emotional home, where I can be myself and share the ways in which the climate and polycrisis are affecting me. As co-chair I'm interested in supporting fellow members to make their own contributions to climate psychology; in helping CPA become financially independent; and in our continuing work to explore and dismantle the colonial structures that are within us and around us.
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Climate and ecological emotions Reading List
The sources on this list relate to climate and ecological emotions. They are not freely accessible online - most require a library subscription, institutional access, or purchase.
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