Environment

Rapid population growth and technological advances have made it possible for human behavior to change the global environment in major ways, but not all of these changes are positive.

Psychologists are searching for ways to change destructive behaviors and embrace beneficial ones, such as recycling, using public transportation and enhancing energy efficiency. Their research explores people’s attitudes toward environmental issues, what factors determine those attitudes and how those attitudes affect behavior.

Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology

What You Can Do

Society's Grand Challenges - Global Climate Change (PDF, 1.0MB)
Postgrad growth area: Environmental psychology
Psychologists are increasingly at the forefront of efforts to protect the planet.
Psychology and Global Climate Change:
Addressing a Multi-faceted Phenomenon and Set of Challenges
The task force examined psychology’s role in understanding and addressing global climate change, including efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Getting Help

Find a Psychologist
Shaping Pro-Environment Behaviors
Psychologists are discovering what messages work best to encourage environmentally friendly behavior.
This Is Psychology
In a recent episode of APA's video series, "This Is Psychology," CEO Norman B. Anderson, PhD, shares how psychologists have insights and solutions to address the problem of climate change.