Tuesday, October 18, 2022
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (AST)
Auditorium between B4 and B5 and Zoom

Abstract

We often talk about issues such as climate change, pollution, deforestation and loss of biodiversity as environmental problems. However, are they environmental problems or rather human problems? In fact, these problems have a common cause: Human behaviour. Therefore, it seems clear that psychology, the science of behaviour, should be involved alongside other sciences in the fight against climate change. In this talk we will address how psychological theory and research can be applied to promote a sustainable future. Specifically, we will explore why so many people feel distant to climate change and ways to reduce this distance. We will examine the emotions that people feel around climate change with a special emphasis on eco-anxiety, and finally, we will discuss the consequences of climate change for our psychological health. 
 

About the speakers

Dr. Ana Aznar is an internationally published child psychologist with a general interest in children’s socioemotional development. Her research examines children’s understanding of emotions, and she is particularly interested in children’s emotions around climate change. Her work has been translated into over 10 languages and featured widely in scientific publications such as The Journal of Experimental Child Psychology as well as in the popular press. 

This event is open to the entire KAUST community and is brought to you by Students for Sustainability, with the support of the Office of Student Life and the Head of KAUST Sustainability, Dr. Ana Margarida Costa. Should you have any questions, please contact us at s.square@kaust.edu.sa.