WASHINGTON — Following is a statement by Jennifer F. Kelly, PhD, president of the American Psychological Association, in reaction to the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which found human activity is responsible for the catastrophic impacts on the global environment:
“Psychology has long recognized that human behaviors are a chief cause of the climate change that is wreaking havoc on our planet and imperiling humanity’s future. Psychology as a discipline is well-suited to address these behaviors and design strategies to make the changes that are so desperately needed. Psychological scientists stand ready to work shoulder-to-shoulder with other scientists, policymakers and communities to develop these strategies and implement them before it is too late.
“Psychology will also be critical to helping people cope with the anxiety that is growing as we experience more and more episodes of extreme weather, wildfires, ocean acidification and the other terrifying impacts of global warming. The American Psychological Association joins the rising call on governments, corporations and individuals to act now to stem the human activities that are rapidly harming our environment.”