Sustainability, climate, and the natural environment

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What do we mean by “sustainability”? Simply put, we are referring to meeting present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs. This concept is critical for long-term human flourishing and psychological well-being. One key determinant of long-term sustainability is the way humans interact with and care for our climate and environment.

Psychological science uncovers beliefs and behaviors impacting the long-term sustainability of our natural environment. These insights can guide the development of practices designed to help humans mitigate the most harmful impacts of, and adapt to, a changing and warming climate, as well as understand behaviors that lead to unnecessary biodiversity loss, water depletion, and other challenges to our natural environment.

What APA is doing

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Advocacy

Climate change

APA Services works to support the development and application of psychological science to mitigate climate change and promote adaptation to its effects.

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Report

Mental health and our changing climate: Children and youth report

2023 report from APA and ecoAmerica highlights impacts of climate change on children and youth mental health.

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Task force

Addressing the climate crisis: An action plan for psychologists opens in new window

Report of the APA Task Force on Climate Change

APA’s work

No single scientific discipline can solve these challenges alone. Therefore, APA collaborates with organizations specializing in conservation practices, earth and atmospheric science, regenerative practices, epidemiology, population health, and other related subjects. APA facilitates and promotes trustworthy interdisciplinary science and its responsible application to address issues such as:

Promoting healthy interactions with nature to enhance psychological well-being
Developing psychological resilience for preparing for and coping with severe weather events and adapting to a changing climate
Helping people understand their connection to the environment and engage in behaviors that promote collective well-being
Addressing inequalities across different groups in access to natural resources and health environments
Promoting human behaviors that restore and regenerate natural resources and social systems
Fostering productive communication across diverse groups about their relationships with the natural environment

Our goals are to strengthen the work of psychologists and APA on climate change and to broaden their impact through collaboration with other fields and organizations. We will achieve these goals through a strategic combination of research, practice, education, advocacy, and communication programs.