Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Climate Change Network
Overview
News about climate change and its impacts can be overwhelming even for those who might feel distanced from its impacts. Imagine the stress being felt by those who are living in areas where the effects of a changing climate are already being experienced. While many acknowledge the impacts of climate change on mental health and broader social and emotional wellbeing, there is currently little evidence about the burden climate change is having on our mental health, nor to guide policymakers, health service planners, or communities about ways to best support people cope with climate change.
Associate Professor Fiona Charlson has established the Social and Emotional Wellbeing in climate change network to bring together academic, industry and community partners to focus research efforts in this area.
Experts from diverse discipline areas including environmental sciences, urban planning, social science, economics, and public health are working together to define the problems, identify evidence gaps, offer opportunities for higher degree research students, and to propose new research targeted at improving social and emotional wellbeing in climate change.
Ultimately, this new knowledge will inform service planning and targeted strategies that will support people’s social and emotional wellbeing as we adapt to a changing climate.
