Climate Change Education Across the Curricula, Across the Globe

Climate Change Education Across the Curricula

Tag: Psychology

Video/ Microlecture: Human Cognition and Climate Denial

Posted by on in Psychology, Social Sciences

A video titled ‘Cognition of Climate Change Denial’ by Stephen Lewandowsky, University of Western Australia, that explains how human cognition processes and responds to climate change. The video discusses different psychological and cognitive factors, perceptions, attitudes, and individual political beliefs that influence the way people address the issue of climate change.

Students will learn about different psychological factors that influence society to either accept or deny climate change. Using climate science data, they will also learn about how capitalism and politics can influence mass opinions on who could be responsible for contributing to global warming. Students will further learn how opinions, attitudes and perceptions can change the way society addresses, reacts, mitigates and adapts to climate change.  

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What cognitive and psychological factors influence climate change responses?
  2. How can behavioural science provide solutions to the climate crisis?

About the tool: 

Tool NameCognition of Climate Change Denial 
DisciplineSocial Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Behavioral Psychology, Climate Change Denial, Capitalism 
Climate Topic Climate and Society
Type of tool Video/ Microlecture (22 mins)
Grade LevelUndergraduate  
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byStephen Lewandowsky at the University of Sydney
Hosted atYouTube
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video/ Microlecture: Multi-level Impacts of Climate Change on Mental Health

Posted by on in Psychology, Social Sciences

A video titled ‘Mental Health Issues and Climate Change’ by Susan Clayton, The College of Wooster, that discusses the impacts of climate change on mental health. The video focuses on why it is necessary to understand and identify the impacts on mental well being  in order to better plan, adapt to and mitigate climate change. The video discusses different mental disorders such as stress, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief, chronic psychological dysfunction and depression.  

Students will learn about how climate change impacts can affect mental well-being. They will also learn about multi-level impacts, such as direct, indirect, acute, and gradual, on mental health and why it is essential to identify these to tackle this global issue. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What are some consequences of climate change on mental health and well-being?
  2. What are some direct and indirect mental health consequences of the impacts of global warming and natural disasters?
  3. How do people adapt to and cope with the threats of climate change?

About the tool: 

Tool NameMental Health Issues and Climate Change
DisciplineSocial Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Psychology, Mental Health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Stress, Anxiety
Climate Topic Climate and Health; Climate and Society
Type of tool Video/ Microlecture (27 mins)
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate 
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byCenter for Climate Change Communication (George Mason University)
Hosted atYouTube
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Audio: Climate Change and Children

Posted by on in Social Sciences

An audio conversation between Caroline Hickman, psychotherapist and climate psychology lecturer at University of Bath, and host Verity Sharp about the methods of engaging children and young people in discussions surrounding climate change and ecological crisis.

Students will learn about the various methods in therapy of engaging children in climate change discussion while being mindful of climate change led trauma. Additionally, they will learn how to guide parents in their anxiety and fear of exposing their children to the climate crisis, and learn methods in which parents can be assisted to not burden their child with the information and responsibility.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is climate psychology?
  2. How does climate change affect children and young people?
  3. What are the methods of engaging children in climate change discussion?

About the Tool

Tool Name Talking with Children about Climate Change
Discipline Social Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in Discipline Climate Psychology, Psychotherapy, Child Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Anxiety, Fear, Trauma
Climate Topic Climate and Society; Climate and Health
Type of Tool Audio (37 mins)
Grade Level Graduate
Location Global
Language English
Translation None
Developed by Climate Psychology Alliance
Hosted at Climate Psychology Alliance
Link Link
Access Online
Computer Skills Basic

Video/ Microlecture: The Wiring of Our Brain

Posted by on in Psychology, Social Sciences

A video titled ‘Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains are Wired to Ignore Climate Change’ by George Marshall, author and founder of Climate Outreach and Information Network, that focuses on how the human brain is wired to ignore climate change even though it is such a critical problem. Marshall discusses how the human brain tends to respond to threats that are direct, visible, immediate and have a defined ‘enemy’ and how climate change impacts are none of those things. He further discusses how this creates psychological barriers that prevent future climate change action. 

Students will learn about the various psychological factors and mechanisms that cause humans to ignore climate change and its impacts. They will also learn that only when we understand what motivates, excites and threatens us, will we be able to make sense of the reality of the current climate crisis. Students will further learn why behavioural psychology is important in better understanding climate change and for climate change actions and solutions. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What is behavioural psychology?
  2. What are some of the psychological barriers that prevent sustained climate action?
  3. How can behavioural science provide solutions to the climate crisis?

About the tool: 

Tool NameDon’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains are Wired to Ignore Climate Change
Discipline Social Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Behavioral Psychology, Climate Change Denial 
Climate Topic Climate and Society
Type of tool Video/ Microlecture (55 mins)
Grade LevelUndergraduate  
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byGeorge Marshall at Talks at Google
Hosted atYouTube
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video : Behavioral psychology and climate change

Posted by on in Social Sciences

A video lecture that discusses behavioural psychological responses to climate change. It focuses on individual lifestyle decisions which are influenced by capitalism, technology advancement, politics, social perceptions and personal gain and benefit; and how this further affects their behavioural responses to climate change.     

Students will learn about behaviourism, consumerism and climate change. They will understand aspects of classical conditioning and behaviourism such as optimisation and rationalization and their importance in individual decision making. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Discuss behavioural psychological responses to climate change
  2. Discuss the link between individual decision making and the seven barriers of sustainability
  3. How does classical conditioning affect individual decision making with regards to climate change?

About the Tool

Tool Name The Psychology of Climate Change: Action and Inaction
Discipline Social Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in Discipline Climate Psychology, Behavioural Psychology, Classical Conditioning, Optimisation, Rationalisation
Climate Topic Climate and Society
Type of Tool Video lecture
Grade Level Undergraduate, Graduate
Location Global
Language English
Translation –
Developed by Dr Robert Gifford
Hosted at The Institute of International and European Affairs
Link Link
Access Online
Computer Skills Basic

 Cognitive Bias and Climate Change

Posted by on in Social Sciences

As a teacher of Psychology in the Social Sciences, you can use this teaching module to draw a link between psychological bias and climate change. 

Through this module students will learn about the ‘MPG Illusion’ and the influence cognitive biases have in altering human behaviour towards climate change. Through the quiz in this module, students will understand their own biases. Furthermore, students will learn that, as consumers, to make environmentally sustainable choices, they may have to reframe  a problem to avoid biases.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is cognitive bias?
  2. How do cognitive biases affect our perception of climate change?
  3. What is an ‘MPG Illusion’? How does it affect consumer behaviour? 
  4. When changing to a more fuel efficient vehicle, which will you choose and why? Changing from 10 MPG to 20 MPG or changing from 25 MPG to a 50 MPG?

About the Tool

Tool Name The MPG Illusion: How Cognitive Biases Increase Climate Change
Discipline Social Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in Discipline Social Psychology, Climate Psychology, Cognitive Bias
Climate Topic Climate and Society; Energy, Economics and Climate Change
Type of Tool Teaching Module
Grade Level High School, Undergraduate
Location  US
Language English
Translation –
Developed by Richard Larrick (Duke University)
Hosted at Action Teaching
Link Link
Access Online/Offline
Computer Skills Basic

Behavioural Psychology and Climate Change

Posted by on in Psychology, Social Sciences

As a teacher of Psychology in the Social Sciences you can use this video to teach your students aspects of behavioral science, explain the limitations of our brains in perceiving climate change, and discuss potential behavioral science solutions to the climate crisis.

Through this video students will understand the concept of psychological distance and how that impacts individual behavior towards climate change. Students will learn about the limitations of the human mind and how effective personal, visual images can be in choosing sustainable lifestyles. Furthermore, students will learn the stages of behavioral psychology from cognitive perception to emotional relation to behavior change. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is behavioral psychology?
  2. How do cognitive and psychological factors like ‘psychological distance’ influence responses to climate change?
  3. What effective measures can be taken to instigate behavioral changes at an individual level when responding to the climate crisis?

About the Tool

Tool Name The Psychology of Climate Change
Discipline Social Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in Discipline Behavioral Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Psychological Bias, Psychological Distance
Climate Topic Climate and Society
Type of Tool Video (30 mins)
Grade Level Undergraduate
Location  US
Language English
Translation –
Developed by Sabine Pahl, University of Plymouth
Hosted at PICSCanada
Link Link
Access Online
Computer Skills Basic

Reading: Human behaviour and climate change

Posted by on in Social Sciences

A guidebook of gender-sensitive approaches to climate change policy for city planning. It discusses the different ways in which women and men are affected by climate change. This guidebook includes discussions on gender inequalities such as gender division of labour, gender differentials in income, gender biases in decision making, and other factors contributing to climate vulnerability.

Students will understand how climate change impacts genders differently. They will also learn the importance of gender sensitivity in formulating climate change policies. Students will be introduced to gender sensitive climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience in cities.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How does climate change affect genders differently?
  2. Give a few reasons why climate change policies should use a gender-sensitive approach
  3. What are the priorities for gender-sensitive climate policies at urban levels?

About the Tool 

Tool Name Gender and Urban Climate Policy: Gender-Sensitive Policies Make a Difference
Discipline Humanities, Social Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline Gender, Gender and Climate Change, Gender Inequality, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Climate Change Policy, Climate Vulnerability
Climate Topic Climate and Society, Policies, Politics, and Environmental Governance
Type of Tool Reading
Grade Level Undergraduate, Graduate
Location  Global
Language English
Translation –
Developed by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development 
Hosted at Giz, UN Habitat, Gender CC 
Link Reading Link
Access Online, Offline
Computer Skills Basic

 

Video/Microlecture: Climate Psychiatry

Posted by on in Psychology, Social Sciences

A microlecture titled ‘Climate Psychiatry: The Diverse Challenges of Climate Change to Mental Health’ by Robin Cooper and Alex Trope, University of California, that discusses the impact of climate change on mental and emotional health. The microlecture includes discussions on six different aspects of climate psychiatry:

  1. Slow moving disasters, 
  2. Acute climate disasters, 
  3. Vulnerable populations, 
  4. Extreme heat effects, 
  5. Eco-distress syndromes and 
  6. Engagement and action. 

Students will learn about the health emergency of climate change. They will be introduced to the field of Climate Psychiatry and how Mental health can be impacted by disruptions associated with climate change. Students will further learn about why it is necessary to understand these disruptions in order to tackle and mitigate climate change. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What is Climate Psychiatry?
  2. Discuss some impacts of climate change on mental health?
  3. How do heatwaves and other disasters affect individual and community health?

About the tool: 

Tool NameClimate Psychiatry: The Diverse Challenges of Climate Change to Mental Health
DisciplineSocial Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Psychology, Climate Psychiatry, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Emotional Health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Stress, Anxiety
Climate Topic Climate and Health; Climate and Society
Type of tool Video/ Microlecture (1 hr)
Grade LevelUndergraduate 
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byUniversity of California
Hosted atYouTube
Linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zpKgje9JHk
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video/Microlecture: Mental Health, Physical Health, and Climate Change

Posted by on in Psychology, Social Sciences

A video titled ‘Mental Health Issues and Climate Change’ by Lise Van Susteren, George Mason University, that discusses the link between climate change and mental health. The video discusses impacts of climate change on physical health such as inflamed brain tissue and mental health such as depression. The video also discusses the need to address individual and societal mental health impacts of climate change. 

Students will learn about the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on individuals and communities around the world. They will also learn about how global warming has potentially caused food and water ‘wars’, violence and distrust amongst individuals and communities. Students will further learn of how human activity has potentially contributed to global warming and the current climate crisis.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Discuss some impacts of climate change on physical and mental health.
  2. What are some direct and indirect impacts of global warming and natural disasters on mental health?

About the tool: 

Tool NameMental Health Issues and Climate Change
DisciplineSocial Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Psychology, Health, Mental Health, Violence, Conflict, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Stress, Anxiety
Climate Topic Climate and Health; Climate and Society
Type of tool Video/ Microlecture (12 mins)
Grade LevelUndergraduate 
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byCenter for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University
Hosted atYouTube
Linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn9TlyhZBAw&list=PLE8B1470B8A846BB1&index=16
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Audio: Mental Health Risks of Climate Change

Posted by on in Psychology, Social Sciences

An audio lecture from the ‘Climate Change and Health’ audio series by Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, that discusses how climate change and environmental change will impact physical and mental health and well-being. The audio also discusses the connections between mental, physical and community health. 

Students will learn about cognitive, psychological and behavioural disorders caused by climate change. They will also learn about the current and future impacts of climate change on mental well being and the urgent need to address it. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Discuss how climate change affects aspects of mental health. 
  2. How is community health impacted by climate change? Discuss in the classroom 
  3. What are some direct and indirect mental health impacts of natural disasters caused by climate change?

About the tool: 

Tool NameClimate Change and Mental Health
DisciplineSocial Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Psychology, Mental Health, Community Health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Stress, Anxiety
Climate Topic Climate and Health, Climate and Society
Type of tool Audio (10 mins)
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate 
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byHarvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University
Hosted atYouTube
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Coping with Climate Change

Posted by on in Social Sciences

A guidebook of gender-sensitive approaches to climate change policy for city planning. It discusses the different ways in which women and men are affected by climate change. This guidebook includes discussions on gender inequalities such as gender division of labour, gender differentials in income, gender biases in decision making, and other factors contributing to climate vulnerability.

Students will understand how climate change impacts genders differently. They will also learn the importance of gender sensitivity in formulating climate change policies. Students will be introduced to gender sensitive climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience in cities.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How does climate change affect genders differently?
  2. Give a few reasons why climate change policies should use a gender-sensitive approach
  3. What are the priorities for gender-sensitive climate policies at urban levels?

About the Tool 

Tool Name Gender and Urban Climate Policy: Gender-Sensitive Policies Make a Difference
Discipline Humanities, Social Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline Gender, Gender and Climate Change, Gender Inequality, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Climate Change Policy, Climate Vulnerability
Climate Topic Climate and Society, Policies, Politics, and Environmental Governance
Type of Tool Reading
Grade Level Undergraduate, Graduate
Location  Global
Language English
Translation –
Developed by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development 
Hosted at Giz, UN Habitat, Gender CC 
Link Reading Link
Access Online, Offline
Computer Skills Basic

 

Audio: Psychology of Climate Denial

Posted by on in Social Sciences

This is an audio podcast of The Guardian on the psychology of climate science denial. This tool discusses psychological barriers and cognitive biases that determine individual responses to climate change.

Students will learn about the cognitive biases that play a pivotal role in climate science denial such as Confirmation Bias and Loss Aversion. Students will also learn about climate biases in corporate and government sectors and how behavioural psychology can be used for effective climate communication.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is the psychology behind climate science denial?
  2. What cognitive biases make it difficult to understand climate change?
  3. How can behavioural psychology be used for effective climate communication for individuals, corporations and governments?

About the Tool

Tool Name The psychology of climate science denial
Discipline Social Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in Discipline Climate Psychology, Behavioural Psychology, Psychology of Climate Denial, Cognitive Biases, Climate Communication
Climate Topic Climate and Society; Policies, Politics, and Environmental Governance
Type of Tool Audio (35 mins)
Grade Level High School, Undergraduate
Location US, Global
Language English
Translation None
Developed by Ian Sample (in conversation with Debika Shome, Tima Bansal, and Matthew McGregor)
Hosted at The Guardian
Link Link
Access Online
Computer Skills Basic

Audio: The Art of Storytelling

Posted by on in Humanities, Psychology, Social Sciences

An audio conversation between storyteller and performing artist, Jo Blake and storyteller and art therapist, Sarah Deco on the relationship between mythologies and climate change narratives. This podcast focuses on how climate narratives can affect individual action and behaviour.

Students will be introduced to how ancient myths psychologically affect us as individuals and connect us to others through nature and culture. They will also learn how to use the nature of myth and storytelling to emotionally impact people to be hopeful and action-driven with reference to the current climate crisis. Additionally, they will also learn how to overcome trauma and grief caused by climate change through the use of myths, storytelling and collective experiences. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is the art of storytelling and how is it used to narrate myths?
  2. Give an example of how a myth can be used as a symbolism to overcome climate change related grief and trauma?

About the Tool

Tool NameCan ancient myths help transform the narratives that led to the climate change crisis?
DisciplineHumanities, Social Science, Psychology
Topic(s) in DisciplineEnglish, Storytelling, Climate Psychology, Behavioural Psychology, Myths and Mythology
Climate TopicClimate and Society; Climate Literacy
Type of toolAudio (28 mins)
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed byClimate Psychology Alliance
Hosted atClimate Psychology Alliance
LinkAudio Link
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic