Psychology and climate crisis

Signing the Lisbon Resolution

For too many years psychology has been too much away from environment issues. Even when psychology is used psychologists are not there applying it. As citizens, as professionals or as scientists we have to stand up and advocate for psychology in climate change action, not only dealing with the psychological consequences of climate change but working on prevention, behaviour change and decision making processes.

F. Rodrigues, M. R. de Sousa, A. Sales e A. Evans

Last November, in Lisbon, more than 40 psychologists organizations meet to address climate change challenges and commit with a joint action and a resolution. The Summit on Psychology and Global Health was an historical event for psychologists around the world, but also for all citizens, because of all the benefits it can mean and bring to this fight. All organizations present their work on this field and their goals for the future.  Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Portugal's President, in his speech at the Summit, thanked the psychologists for their role in society and their contribution to tackle climate crisis, stressing that this is a task for all.

The report of this Summit will be delivered to United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, and several other international institutions around the world.

We now have the responsibility to work together, with our behaviours and our knowledge, doing everything we can to advocate for the use of psychology and human behaviour scientific knowledge on this collective effort. 

Talking with Telmo Mourinho Baptista, EFPA President

Telmo Mourinho Baptista, EFPA President

Tomorrow begins the European Congress of Psychology in Moscow, at the same time as Telmo Mourinho Baptista ends his first four-year term as president of the EFPA Executive Council.

What do you think will be the main challenge to psychologists in the near future?

I think the main challenge for psychologist in the near future is to follow the developments that artificial intelligence (AI) is introducing in all kinds of services, including psychology. We are at an important point where we still have the time to participate in the debates that occur around the development of AI and the consequences for the citizens. There are many issues that need to be discussed,  like ethical choices, privacy and psychological consequences of a world that is dominated by Ai, instead of a world that has AI at the service of humankind. This is not farfetched, this future is already here, and we don’t seem to notice it in all the different applications that surround us, like personal assistants (ex: Siri, Alexa) or intelligent homes. I think the participation of psychologists is crucial at the different stages of development, and Europeans have started an important exemple of concern for the development of responsible AI. We must participate in this discussion 

Can you talk a little bit about some of the big issues that you have been advocating being president of the European Federation of Psychologists Association (EFPA)?

I have been advocating in general for a more psychologically informed process of decision. It is strange that with our solid knowledge about human behaviour we do not have a strong voice in policy making. There are already good examples, like the behavioural units that some governments created, but there is ample possibility for the different policies to benefit from psychological knowledge.

I also have been advocating for the development of the Europsy, in order to have more Europeans as Europsy holders.  Europsy is a great achievement, and we need to develop it, and discuss further developments, like specialities, and the competencies that are involved at the different levels. Working with the Universities is a priority, so that they can prepare their students to become Europsy holders.

Another aspect that I have been advocating is for the diversification of services to deal with mental health problems. We need to consider other forms of delivery of services, not just the one on one encounter. Group, organization and community interventions should be more applied. We need also to consider the impact of the digital world as a way of helping to deliver services. This implies new roles for psychologists, and collaboration with other professions in a more ample way. 

What’s the role of psychology for peace worldwide and what do you think that must be improved for that purpose?

Psychology can be of great help in peace processes. Improving communication between opposing parts,  understanding the needs of the people involved, negotiating and mediating conflicts, following up on the achievements to allow for permanent change,  are the type of activities that psychologists are experts. There is strong science that supports psychological interventions in peace processes,  We can assist in the reparation processes, to bring true peace to the hearts of people, allowing them to have a better life.I have seen testimonies of these processes and I wonder why psychologists are not used more in the peace processes. I guess the general public, and even decision makers, don’t know enough go our training and how we can be of help. 

For peace

The European Union is an ideal of peace. I think we have forgotten too many times about this.

Burkineau, Poland

The European Union is an ideal of peace. I think we've forgotten too many times about this. Europe has lived a historic period of peace since 1945, with some regional exceptions. When we complain about the European directives, the limits to deficit and indebtedness, the mobility or the rules of competition and the market, we may be right or wrong, but we must not forget the fortune that is peace.

Without peace we question the civilizational developments achieved, the economic development, the health, the education, the culture, etc. This, in addition to the suffering costs for the populations, with greater focus, for the poorest and most vulnerable.

Peacekeeping requires dialogue and sharing. Negotiation and respect for the other and for the differences. And we are all responsible! We are responsible when we let them decide for us, when we do not participate continuously in the social and political life of our communities, when we do not inform ourselves about the reasoning of the decisions that involve or affect us, when we only look at our individual and immediate interest without considering the collective and what is sustainable over time.

That is why when I look at recent "developments" in several countries, with very little europeism on the left and on the right, based on the exploitation of fears and / or dissatisfactions, I am not afraid for prosperity or for having to share with those who have nothing and are looking for a safer world to live in (far from wars and conflicts), or I am not afraid for the standardization of some rules ... I fear for freedom and for peace.

European construction it's a welfare, present in our lives. So present that we forget him as we forget the air we breathe, even when we lack it. However, the European Union is a human construction, imperfect, and needs to be improved. More participated and genuinely more inclusive and promoter of the rights and duties of its member states and its citizens. But that depends on whom? It depends on us all.

With different responsibilities, depending on the roles we play. But it concerns all of us. And we have no excuses to say, as a solution, when we do not like something that we see around us and that affects us: stop all this (European Union) because it does not serve us.

We Psychologists, as well as citizens, as professionals, try to contribute to the European construction effort. One of the ways is through EFPA (European Federation of Psychologists Associations), representing more than 300,000 psychologists in the European space (36 countries), for 2 years presided over by a Portuguese, Telmo Mourinho Baptista.

We create partnerships, try to gather synergies, learn from each other's experiences, promoting good professional practices at European level for all consumers of psychology services in this region of the world. EFPA has created EUROPSY, a diploma that recognizes professionals' competences to facilitate mobility in the European space, and that the OPP will soon make available to Portuguese psychologists.

It is a small contribution to networking, to dialogue and the consolidation of relationships between people, professionals and different countries, of a common geographic space with common interests. It is also a very small contribution, for a greater good, peace.

Published in portuguese language in the Sábado online magazine 28/04/2017. 

Talking with Amanda Clinton from American Psychological Association...

What do you think will be the main challenge for psychologists in the near future? 

The primary challenge psychology is facing is helping its scientists/researchers, trainers/educators, policy experts/advocates, students and clinicians/practitioners rethink and reinvent the field. It is critical that psychologists understand the extraordinary relevance of psychology to the entire human experience across myriad contexts - from the level of a neuron to that of societal interactions - and begin addressing critical issues in an innovative way. Once psychologists become comfortable “thinking outside the box,” psychology can actively contribute to limitless complex key topics ranging from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, to questions of quality assurance and regulation in the field, to artificial intelligence and health and well-being.  

You have an important and distinct experience as a psychologist because you travel around the world and have very different realities. Can you talk a little bit about some of the most impact advocating efforts for psychology you have seen? 

My position as Senior Director for the Office of International Affairs at the American Psychological Association grants me the privilege of learning about psychology across the world. I am inspired by the advocacy achievements of numerous psychological organizations in a range of locations. Efforts in advocacy vary pending the needs of a particular country or region and its systems and people. However, much progress is being made in incorporating psychological research into policies addressing rights for children with special needs, LGBTI+ individuals, integrated care, treatment for the seriously mentally ill, and community-based prevention/population health efforts to name a few. 

What is the role of psychology for peace worldwide and what do you think must improve to address this issue? 

As the study of human functioning from the brain to behavior, psychological science has much to contribute to world peace. For example, psychology can provide critical insights into the most effective ways to engage in meaningful and productive negotiations and discussions where conflict occurs. Psychology can further inform education based on critical thinking skills that allow children and, ultimately, adults, to become engaged citizens who focus on social justice. Additionally, psychological science advises us about communication processes and development of aims and goals – and these suggestions name a few. For psychology to actively contribute to world peace, psychologists must become actively involved in advocating for a role in key global issues. 

What book would you recommend? 

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes and I like to read a bit of everything from history to literature to leadership and children’s stories, as well as science documents. One of my favorite books about the meaning of life is, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” the story of a how love can make even inanimate objects – like a stuffed animal – real. I believe this idea of seeing others, accepting them, giving hope and caring about them is fundamental to being a psychologist. 

What music do you enjoy? 

I enjoy virtually all music, particularly when it is live and vocalists have very pure voices. One of the most powerful musical experiences I have had in my life was the night I heard Fado in a small restaurant in Lisbon a few years ago. 

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Amanda Clinton, M.Ed., Ph.D., is the Senior Director for the Office of International Affairs at the American Psychological Association (APA). Prior to joining the APA, Dr. Clinton served as Full Professor of Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico where she specialized in culturally relevant prevention programs, early childhood, social-emotional development, and bilingualism. Dr. Clinton is a licensed psychologist and a credentialed school psychologist with experience in community clinics, pediatric hospitals, public schools, academic settings, and public policy. Dr. Clinton completed a AAAS Congressional Fellowship in the office of Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) where she helped write the Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 (passed as 21^st Century Cures).  Dr. Clinton’s scholarly work includes publication of “Integrated Assessment of the Bilingual Child” and numerous peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, as well as Associate Editorship of both the Journal of Educational and Consulting Psychology(JEPC) and the Interamerican Journal of Psychology. Dr. Clinton has won several prestigious awards, including a Fulbright Scholarship and SPSSI Educator/Mentor of the Year. Dr. Clinton earned her master’s degree at the University of Washington and her doctoral degree at the University of Georgia.