Teaching Sustainability in Psychology

Sustainability issues are inherently interdisciplinary. See the Resources & Discussions page for resources that span multiple disciplines and the Disciplinary Perspectives pages.

Most scientists recognize that human behavior is the main cause of today's climate crisis. Understanding that behavior, and learning how to change it, is one of our best hopes for a solution. Psychology can help people:

• Understand environmentalism,
• Assess the risks of climate change,
• Cope with the anxiety about climate change,
• Encourage and advance solutions

APA Statement/Journal/Journal Articles

APA Council of Representatives Resolution: At its February 2011 meeting, the APA Council of Representatives voted to adopt as APA policy the "Resolution on Affirming Psychologists' Role in Addressing Global Climate Change."

American Psychologist publishes special issue on climate change. From Psychological Science Agenda (June 2011), a publication of the APA Science Directorate.

The May-June 2011 special issue of the American Psychologist, the flagship journal of the American Psychological Association, focused on "Psychology and Global Climate Change." The issue contained seven peer-reviewed articles that were based upon and update the contents of a 2009 APA task force report on Psychology and Global Climate Change. The link above also has other publications.

Psychological science's contributions to a sustainable environment: Extending our reach to a grand challenge of society. Kazdin, A.E. (2009). Psychological science's contributions to a sustainable environment: Extending our reach to a grand challenge of society. American Psychologist, 64(5), 339-356.

This article outlines how psychological science can play a critical role in addressing the problems of climate change by fostering a sustainable environment.

Other Resources

American Psychological Association's over 1000 resources — Search the site for climate change and other sustainability subjects.

Society for Industrial and Organizational Society resources - Search the site for climate change and other sustainability topics.

American Psychological Association hosts the Society for Environmental, Population, and Conservation Psychology, which conducts research to improve interactions between humans and their natural and built environments. The APA also offers resources to encourage environmentally-friendly behavior through its Environment topic page.

International Association of Applied Psychology's Environmental Psychology Division examines the interactions between people and their physical settings. 

The mission of Social Psychology Network is to promote peace, social justice, and sustainable living through public education, research, and the advancement of psychology.

APA Resolution on Affirming Psychologists' Role in Addressing Global Climate Change
A 2011 APA resolution reaffirming its recognition of the importance of psychological aspects of human environment relations.

 

Teaching Psychology for Sustainability offers a compilation of syllabi, bibliographies, instructor resources, and general resources to help instructors to tie psychology and sustainability together..

Society for Environmental, Population and Conservation Psychology (APA Division 34)
The Society for Environmental, Population and Conservation Psychology (APA Division 34) is a society of behavioral researchers and practitioners who conduct and apply research and advance theory to improve interactions between humans and our natural and built environments.

Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (APA Division 14)
The mission of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (APA Division 14) is to enhance human well-being and performance in organizational and work settings by promoting the science, practice, and teaching of industrial-organizational psychology.

International Association for Applied Psychology
The website for the IAAP, the oldest international association for psychologists. Their mission is "...to promote the science and practice of applied psychology and to facilitate interaction and communication about applied psychology around the world."

APA Convention
The annual APA Convention features hundreds of sessions on psychology, including sessions sponsored by APA Divisions 14 and 34.

Other Conferences on Sustainability
The Society for Environmental, Population and Conservation Psychology (APA Division 34) provides a listing of conferences on sustainability and climate change.