As the global community gathers for COP31, European Psychologist is pleased to make five articles from our forthcoming special issue, “Climate Crisis and the Human Factor”, freely available. This collection highlights the vital role psychology can play in understanding and addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
The special issue builds on the work of the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations AISBL (EFPA) Expert Reference Group for Psychology and Climate Change and its 2024 opinion paper, “Climate Crisis and the Human Factor: 10 Psychological Keys to Unlocking Climate Action.” Developed through collaboration among European researchers, practitioners, and professional psychology organizations, the paper emphasizes that effective and equitable responses to climate change depend not only on technological and policy solutions, but also on a deeper understanding of human behavior, motivation, resilience, and well-being.
Climate change is fundamentally a human challenge. People’s attitudes, emotions, values, social identities, and collective actions influence both the causes of the climate crisis and the responses to it. At the same time, climate-related events and uncertainties increasingly affect mental health, well-being, and community resilience. Psychology offers valuable evidence and practical insights into these interconnected dynamics, helping to explain why individuals and societies respond to climate risks as they do, and how meaningful change can be supported.
The articles featured here explore key questions at the intersection of psychology and climate change, including climate action, adaptation, resilience, communication, and mental health. Together, they demonstrate the breadth of psychological research and practice relevant to the climate crisis, while also reflecting the diversity of perspectives within this rapidly evolving field.