Climate change and community psychology: Exploring environmental and wider social challenges

Thompson, Miles; Blumer, Yalina; Gee, Sophie; Waugh, Laura; Weaver, Zoe

Abstract

Climate and ecological emergencies are already adversely affecting individuals and communities globally. In this UK based study, both academics and young people contributed examples of environmental and wider social challenges. The final lists capture many varied examples reflecting both climate change (e.g., changing weather patterns) and wider ecological emergencies (e.g., biodiversity loss; pollution). The wider social challenges list captures other important issues (e.g., poverty, inequality). The paper reminds us both that the climate and ecological emergencies contain more than just climate change alone and that individuals and communities face pressing wider social challenges that may limit their ability to focus on climate change. The discussion highlights the potential role of critical consciousness and the importance of focusing at macro levels of change.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 3, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jun 30, 2023
• Publication Date: Jun 30, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jun 8, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 1, 2024
• Journal: Psicologia di Comunità / Journal of Community Psychology
• Print ISSN: 1827-5249
• Electronic ISSN: 1971-842X
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 1
• Pages: 13-33
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3280/PSC2023-001002
• Keywords: climate change, ecological emergencies, environmental challenges, wider social challenges, community psychology
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10847661
• Publisher URL: https://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Sommario.aspx?IDRivista=139