Political psychology and the climate and ecological crisis

The climate and ecological crisis is upon us. Urgent and sustained action is needed at many levels, including governments, businesses, civil society organisations and all of us as individuals. The BPS as an organisation, and we as individual psychologists, have distinct opportunities as well as responsibilities to contribute, because of course the causes (due to human behaviour) and possible mitigating actions are fundamentally psychological.

In response to these challenges the BPS established the Climate and Environment Action Coordination Group (CEACG) early in 2023. The CEACG brings together psychologists with relevant expert knowledge, wide experience and firm commitments from across the Society's diverse member networks. Its aim is to lead, support and co-ordinate work throughout the Society aimed at preventing and mitigating climate and ecological harm. 

The group is chaired by occupational psychologist Terri Morrisey and receives management support from the BPS Diversity and Inclusion Team. The group is energetic, generally meeting monthly, and working mostly through subgroups that tackle particular workstreams. I am the link between the CEACG and the Political Psychology Section.

The CEACG has had a busy and productive first year. Its main outputs are summarised in the Roadmap, Position Statement Member Network Actions and the numbered summary of Member Network Actions, which you can see on the group's webpage. The Position Statement commits the Society as a learned and professional organisation to embed climate and ecological action throughout its activities.

The Position Statement begins with three organisational commitments. The BPS will work with the CEACG to:

1. Carry out an organisational audit and produce a sustainability statement. 

2. Develop guidelines to deliver commitments from the Position Statement, ensuring that support is in place for implementation.

3. Encourage and champion climate, environment and ecological work across the Society.

Then there are 14 action points for member networks to commit and contribute to. The Political Psychology Section committee is seeking to contribute initially to points 5, 10 and 11. These are: 

5. Create opportunities for conversations and collaborations with stakeholders, including communities, policy makers and psychologists on sustainable behaviours for individual and collaborative action, e.g. interactive events.

10. Ensure psychology has a voice in political debate, action and policy on the climate and environment with relevant national government and third sector bodies.

11. Develop relationships with external professional organisations that influence the policy making agenda on the environment and climate change.

There will be many opportunities for members of the Political Psychology Section to join this essential and rewarding work as it develops. There will be frequent updates to keep you abreast of progress and opportunities.

About the author

Roger Paxton is a chartered clinical psychologist and former chair of the BPS Ethics Committee.