Psychology and Climate Change
Human Perceptions, Impacts, and Responses
- 2nd Edition - June 1, 2026
- Latest edition
- Editors: Michael T. Schmitt, Gulnaz Anjum, Susan Clayton, Christie Manning
- Language: English
The second edition of Psychology and Climate Change: Human Perceptions, Impacts, and Responses offers an updated exploration of the intricate relationship between human psycho… Read more
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The second edition of Psychology and Climate Change: Human Perceptions, Impacts, and Responses offers an updated exploration of the intricate relationship between human psychology and the pressing global climate crisis. With new content and research insights, this edition delves into the latest advancements in climate psychology, emphasizing key areas such as perceptions, communication strategies, collective identity, and activism. It investigates the psychological impacts on well-being, community resilience, coloniality, and climate justice, taking into account diverse cultures and communities worldwide. The new chapters in this edition cover topics such as emotional responses to climate change and their impact on behavior, the dynamics of collective identity in climate change responses, the strategic role of climate activism in promoting mitigation and adaptation, the psychological implications of climate injustice, and an ecofeminist approach to understanding the psychology of climate change. Serving as an essential resource for both education and professional use, this revised edition provides readers with the knowledge and strategies needed to drive meaningful action and policy change at various levels.
- Includes new chapters on development and children’s understanding of climate change and gender inequality and eco-feminist approaches to climate change
- Presents strategies for effective communication, behavioral change, politics of climate activism and collective identity, and policy recommendations
- Offers updated literature on perceptions, communication strategies, consumption behavior, mental health impacts, coloniality, and justice mechanisms related to climate change
- Highlights practical applications of psychological research in addressing climate change
Researchers and students who study environmental psychology, social psychology, behavior change, and environmental studies.
1. Introduction: Psychology and Climate Change
Part I: Perceptions and Communication
2. Perceptions of Climate Change
3. Climate Change Communication: Challenges, Insights, and Opportunities
Part II: Responding to Climate Change
4. Contributions of Psychology to Limiting Climate Change: Opportunities Through Consumer Behavior 5. How Emotions Shape Human Responses to Climate Change
6. Collective Identity and Group-Based Approaches to Climate Change
7. Climate Activism and Social Change
8. Organizational Responses to Climate Change
Part III: Wellbeing and Resilience
9. Threats to Mental Health and Wellbeing Associated with Climate Change
10. Development and Children’s Understanding of Climate Change
11. Individual Impacts and Resilience
12. Psychological Perspectives on Community Resilience and Climate Change: Insights, Examples, and Directions for Future Research
Part IV: Incorporating Equity and Justice
13. The Psychological Implications of Climate Inequity and Climate Injustice
14. Gender Inequality and Eco-Feminist Approaches to Climate Change
15. Climate Conflicts and Green Mediation
16. Decolonizing Climate Psychology
Part I: Perceptions and Communication
2. Perceptions of Climate Change
3. Climate Change Communication: Challenges, Insights, and Opportunities
Part II: Responding to Climate Change
4. Contributions of Psychology to Limiting Climate Change: Opportunities Through Consumer Behavior 5. How Emotions Shape Human Responses to Climate Change
6. Collective Identity and Group-Based Approaches to Climate Change
7. Climate Activism and Social Change
8. Organizational Responses to Climate Change
Part III: Wellbeing and Resilience
9. Threats to Mental Health and Wellbeing Associated with Climate Change
10. Development and Children’s Understanding of Climate Change
11. Individual Impacts and Resilience
12. Psychological Perspectives on Community Resilience and Climate Change: Insights, Examples, and Directions for Future Research
Part IV: Incorporating Equity and Justice
13. The Psychological Implications of Climate Inequity and Climate Injustice
14. Gender Inequality and Eco-Feminist Approaches to Climate Change
15. Climate Conflicts and Green Mediation
16. Decolonizing Climate Psychology
- Edition: 2
- Latest edition
- Published: June 1, 2026
- Language: English
MS
Michael T. Schmitt
Michael T. Schmitt is a Professor of Social Psychology at Simon Fraser University, where he has worked since 2005. His background is in collective identity and intergroup relations from a social identity theory perspective. He teaches courses and conducts research on the application of social psychology to climate change and climate justice. In particular, he is interested in understanding what motivates people to engage in activism and work for social change. Michael’s current work applies a social identity lens to climate change and other environmental problems
Affiliations and expertise
Simon Fraser University, CanadaGA
Gulnaz Anjum
Gulnaz Anjum is an Associate Professor of Social and Cultural Psychology at University of Oslo, Norway, and a Visiting Researcher at Karachi Urban Lab, Pakistan. Her research projects explore the psychology of climate change, social inequalities and psycho-social vulnerabilities associated with migration, extremism, and gender-based discrimination. Gulnaz’s current work explores mechanisms through which communities adapt to climate shocks and seek climate justice. She teaches courses in social psychology, climate psychology and conflict resolution.
Affiliations and expertise
University of Oslo, NorwaySC
Susan Clayton
Susan Clayton is the Whitmore-Williams Professor of Psychology at the College of Wooster. She is the editor of The Oxford Handbook of Environmental and Conservation Psychology (2012) and the co-author of Conservation Psychology: Understanding and Promoting Human Care for Nature (20015), as well as co-authoring or co-editing three other books. She was a co-author of the 2010 APA Task Force on Psychology and Global Climate Change. She is the former president of the Society for Environmental, Population, and Conservation Psychology and of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social issues. She has given numerous psychology and climate change.
Affiliations and expertise
College of Wooster, USACM
Christie Manning
Christie Manning is a faculty member in the Department of Environmental Studies at Macalester College. She is co-author of the textbook Psychology for Sustainability (2016). Her interdisciplinary research explores the effectiveness of community-based initiatives to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts. She has given many presentations on the role of psychology in facilitating climate adaptation efforts
Affiliations and expertise
Macalester College, USA