Climate Change

A worker who is adjusting giant solar panels.

APA Services works to support the development and application of psychological science to mitigate climate change and promote adaptation to its effects.

Our focus

  • Ensure that environmental justice is addressed in climate mitigation and preparation initiatives, in order to provide a healthy, safe living environment for everyone
    Unfortunately, low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately at risk from environmental health hazards. This is also true with respect to the health impacts of climate change, including heat waves, wildfires, floods, poor air quality, energy insecurity, ecosystem changes, and economic disruptions and losses.
  • Address the mental health and psychosocial impacts of climate change
    Climate change is inducing stress, depression, and anxiety, and has been linked to increases in aggression, violence, and crime. Children and communities with few resources to deal with the impacts of climate change are those most impacted.
  • Support initiatives to increase awareness of the population health effects of climate change, and to help build community resiliency to climate change impacts
    Community organization and cohesion are critical to effectively respond to public health threats, and this will be especially true with climate change due to its unprecedented effects and the scale and pace of changes needed in our energy use practices. Already vulnerable communities are in particular need of resources and support for responding effectively to climate changes.
  • Support research and initiatives regarding human behavior related to climate change
    Human behavior is driving widespread and rapid changes in earth systems. Psychologists are leading research of human beliefs, attitudes, and communication about climate change and about policies and practices for addressing it, including on behavior change regarding energy and resource use and conservation. Psychological science can help improve the effectiveness of our response to the climate crisis.

Our efforts on this issue advance the following advocacy priorities:

  • Environmental sustainability
  • Funding and promotion of basic, clinical, and applied psychological research
  • Health equity for underserved and vulnerable populations
  • Health promotion and prevention throughout lifespan and settings
[H]uman behaviors are a chief cause of the climate change that is wreaking havoc on our planet and imperiling humanity’s future. Psychology as a discipline is well-suited to address these behaviors and design strategies to make the changes that are so desperately needed...
—Jennifer F. Kelly, PhD, 2021 APA President

What you can do

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Contact us

Corbin Evans, JD
Deputy Chief, Science and Technology

Raegina Likewise
Senior Manager of Congressional and Federal Relations

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More on climate change

Addressing the Climate Crisis: An Action Plan for Psychologists (PDF, 2.3 MB)

Successful responses to the climate crisis require the participation of all fields and sectors of society. Psychologists have conducted valuable work on the climate crisis and can make even greater contributions to understanding the crisis, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and achieving climate justice.

Advocating for federal policy to address the impact of climate change on mental health and health equity

On July 25, 2022, APA Services hosted its 2022 Advocacy Summit: Addressing the Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health and Health Equity.

Mental health and our changing climate: Impact, inequities, responses (PDF, 4.27MB)

This updated and expanded report explores how climate change can impact mental health, and is intended to inform and empower health and medical professionals, community and elected leaders, and the public. (sponsored by APA and ecoAmerica, November 2021)

Applauding global engagement in letters to Biden administration

APA sends letter to John Kerry, U.S. special presidential envoy for climate, expressing appreciation for the administration’s international efforts to address the climate change crisis and to offer support and assistance. The Biden administration has declared climate change an immediate priority. (Washington Update, May 2021)

Increasing action on climate change

As the human toll of climate change becomes clearer, psychologists are working with the United Nations, national and local governments, and private companies to understand, mitigate, and adapt to the crisis. (Monitor on Psychology, January 2020)

Joint webinar with Division 34

State and local governments have essential roles to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the next several years. This webinar provides an understanding of relevant state and local policy mechanisms for addressing climate change, as well as information and skills for engaging policymakers at these levels.


Last updated: January 2025Date created: October 2021