Environmental Psychology Article Paper

Environmental Psychology Article Paper

Samantha Hines

Psy/460

July 16, 2012

Aaron Graczyk

Environmental Psychology Article Paper

Climate change is a current event that impacts the field of environmental psychology. "APA and its members are working to apply psychology's knowledge on human behavior to help protect the environment and to prepare people to cope with changes already taking place" (DeAngelis, 2012, para. 1). Some call climate change global warming.

Summary

Little changes in the average temperature of the planet that humans pay no attention to on a daily basis can lead to large dangerous shifts in climate and weather. Changes in weather and climate are attributed to rising global temperatures. Some places have had floods because of changes in rainfall due to the rising temperature. Some have droughts, unbearable heat waves, and severe rains. Humans and greenhouse gases are responsible for the recent climate change. Greenhouse gases trap energy in the atmosphere which causes it to warm. The choices humans make today will affect the amount of greenhouse gases put in the atmosphere in the future.

Analysis

"A key factor in reversing dangerous climate changes is altering our behaviors, habits and our individual and organizational decisions," says APA Chief Executive Officer Norman B. Anderson, PhD. "Psychologists naturally should be leading the way on this." (DeAngelis, 2012). Climate change has influenced the field of environmental psychology and the American Psychological association by reaching out to undergraduates, using task force updates, educating the public, collaborating divisions, and by going green on American Psychological Association home turf. American Psychological Association had hooked up with 10 other societies including the science, technology, engineering, education, and math societies to work on sustainability. Task force updates address "psychology's contribution to understanding the human impacts of climate change, understanding psychological responses to physical and psychological impacts of climate change, and assisting efforts to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change" (DeAngelis, 2012, para.7). Educating the public focused on teaching people that the things they do daily impact the environment. Separate divisions are working on sustainability collaboratively and the American Psychological Association has made efforts to recycle and reduce energy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, global warming or climate change has caused the earth's