LES CONFERENCIERS INVITES > Taciano MILFONT

" Climate and Social Crises: Psychology in the Anthropocene Epoch"

Professor Taciano L. Milfont

University of Waikato

Human activity is having a significant impact on Earth’s climate and ecosystems, and climate change is arguably the greatest environmental threat humanity has ever faced. The human impact is so profound that scientists are proposing the Anthropocene as a potential new epoch of geological time. What are the implications for psychologists? On one hand, psychologists can contribute to understanding the climate crisis, and help with mitigation and adaption efforts. On the other hand, anecdotal and emerging empirical evidence suggests growing worry and anxiety related to the consequences of climate change, particularly so for younger people. Psychologists can also contribute to understanding and addressing the impact of the climate crisis on mental health and emotional wellbeing. In my talk, I will discuss these topics building on from the report of the APA Task Force on Climate Change that I co-authored.

Bio: Taciano is currently a Lead in Behavioural Insights and Behavioural Change at the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment and splits his time between that role and being a Professor of Environmental Psychology at the University of Waikato, School of Psychology. He is known for applying insights from social and behavioural sciences to address environmental problems and has received several accolades including Fellowships from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology and the Association for Psychological Science. He is former Associate Editor of Environment and Behaviour and Journal of Environmental Psychology and ranks 1st on Google Scholar out of all international researchers who have listed ‘conservation psychology’ as one of their areas of research expertise.