LISBON, Portugal — The leaders of psychological associations from more than 40 nations gathered here today for the first International Summit on Psychology and Global Health and signed a proclamation agreeing to apply psychological science to advance progress on combating climate change.
“This is a landmark for psychology around the world as we commit our discipline for the first time to act collectively and individually to use our science to help solve one of the greatest challenges of our era,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, CEO of the American Psychological Association. “Climate change is a problem created largely by human behavior so it is fitting that we apply the science of human behavior to mitigating its impacts.”
"It's a pleasure to co-host this summit in Lisbon, Portugal, which, in fact, can make a decisive contribution to a better understanding of the human behavior and decision-making factors involved in the climate crisis, as well as the decisive role that psychology and psychologists can play globally and locally,” said Francisco Miranda Rodrigues, president of the Order of Portuguese Psychologists (Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses).
The proclamation commits the 43 signatories to use their professional, scientific, educational, cultural and applied resources “to achieve progress on matters of utmost importance for which psychology offers the greatest contribution.” Their initial efforts will focus on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 13: Take action to combat climate change and its impacts.
The inaugural International Summit on Psychology and Global Health, which runs from Nov. 14-16, was organized and cosponsored by American Psychological Association and the Order of Portuguese Psychologists. In addition to issuing the proclamation, participants planned to release a resolution later in the meeting and to co-create a campaign to achieve the goals set forth in both documents.
Participants also planned to address topics including:
- How to communicate effectively about climate change.
- How to promote environmentally friendly behaviors.
- How to promote adaptation and resilience to climate change.
- Social justice issues related to groups that suffer disproportionate impacts from climate change.
Among the more than 40 psychological associations represented at the summit were Australia, Brazil, China, Peru, Cuba, Jordan, Mexico, Nigeria, South Korea and Uganda.