Climate and Environmental Psychology: A Beacon of Light for Sustainability

When I first heard about this rising field of psychology called "Ecopsychology," I was skeptical. Psychology is often misunderstood—some people think it’s about analyzing private thoughts or diagnosing mental illness. Sure, counselors and therapists are among the most recognized professionals in the field. 

However, psychology is much much broader. At its core, it’s the scientific study of how we think, feel, and behave. And this knowledge has been used to help people lead happier and more fulfilling lives.

Currently, psychology has 15 subfields, including Climate and Environmental Psychology. This field delves into how human behavior impacts nature—and how we can change our behavior to address environmental issues. As I learned more about this innovative subject, I became very intrigued. It makes sense that we have to modify our behavior to mitigate the damage, given that human activity is driving the current environmental crisis. And that’s where climate and environmental psychology comes in. While it has yet to be widely recognized outside academia, researchers specializing in this field offer great insights.

If you’re interested in learning more about environmental psychology, I recommend reading Psychology for Sustainability or watching this 50-minute video created by the American Psychological Association. This book sheds light on valuable lessons that can be applied to everyday life, helping us make a positive impact on the environment. Just so you know, the average reading time for this book is 15 hours, according to Kindle. Still, I had a lot of aha moments, so it should be worth your time! It is beyond the scope of this article to cover all the essential points, but I would like to share some of the lessons I learned from this book.

🌎The Solution Is Behavior Change.

After all, environmental issues lie in human behavior, namely, our habits. Of course, advanced technologies, such as eco-friendly cars, buildings, and airplanes, can mitigate pollution on a large scale. But a slight shift in lifestyle can also have a significant influence. For instance, reducing single-use materials or switching to biodegradable detergents will add up to a considerable change.

🌎Make It Easy

Nowadays, there is abundant information about sustainability on various platforms such as social media, news, documentaries, etc. Some of these sources are based on evidence, and others are anecdotal. It can be overwhelming to assess this flood of information on one's own. 

In addition, there are so many products to choose from, such as certified organics, natural ingredients, celebrity brands, etc. I like grocery shopping, though I often get exhausted after checking the labels, comparing prices, and evaluating the quality of the products. Sometimes, I just buy whatever is on the front or the cheapest product, which is not necessarily good for the planet. Experts call it “decision fatigue”.

How can we make responsible choices without burning out?

Imagine if sustainable options were the default. For example, a cafe placing vegan muffins at eye level could nudge more people to try them, helping reduce methane emissions from cows. Or a supermarket ditching plastic packaging could cut down on waste. In fact, France has already banned the sale of most fruits and vegetables in plastic wrapping since 2022.

🌎Make It Personal

The authors emphasize the importance of personal relevance in the climate change conversation. 

We all know that climate change causes melting glaciers and heat waves. We are familiar with statistics on greenhouse gas emissions. Even so, it may not always feel like an immediate threat. Individual stories, on the other hand, can speak louder than mere data or statistics.

To illustrate, I read about the lives of environmental refugees. It made me realize how severely the climate crisis has already affected people’s lives. In Bangladesh, for example, droughts and extreme temperatures have left many people homeless, struggling with their farm business, and suffering from illnesses caused by extreme weather conditions. This is a reality that could happen to anybody, anywhere in the near future. Since then, I have taken the ecological issue more seriously.

🌱

In the video, Dr. Susan Clayton and Dr. Christie Manning also discussed the mental health aspect of the climate issue, that is, eco-anxiety. Experiencing anxiety is not an overreaction but a normal response in the face of this ongoing global challenge. It lingered in my mind when Dr. Mitch Prinstein said, “I assume there are also cohort differences given that today’s youth are growing up where climate change is not a hypothetical…” I then remembered why I don’t talk about my diet choice anymore: it is because older generations usually scoff at my plant-based lifestyle. 

First and foremost, it’s important to validate feelings of anxiety about the environment in order to achieve collective action.

Resources

American Psychological Association. (2022, May 26). APA Essential Science Conversation — Climate Change and Mental Health [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPEs02Nq-VE

Scott, B.A., Amel, E.L., Koger, S.M., & Manning, C.M. (2021). Psychology for Sustainability (5th Edition). Routledge: NY, NY.