Moral Economy Project Symposium and Outreach

An interactive conference exploring the roles of psychologists and mental health professionals in the movement toward a sustainable future

Each day, stories in the media remind us of the impacts of climate change and peak oil. People are struggling with economic difficulties, the emotional impact of ecological degeneration, and questions about how to respond to problems that seem abstract, devastating and overwhelming.

In 2007, the Psychology-Ecology-Sustainability conference opened our investigation of the relationship between psychology and the environment, exploring a number of important questions. This year, our conference will deepen our initial investigation by focusing on three topics:

• Ethics,
• Behavioral Change, and
• Emotion.

Psychology for a Sustainable Future: Emotions, Ethics and Actions in an Era of Climate Change, will be held June 19-21, 2009, on the Lewis & Clark campus in Portland, Oregon. Continuing Education credits for mental health professionals will be available for all sessions.

Conference Outline

Day one: Will feature keynote presentations and panel discussions focusing on the three topic areas, with an eye to fostering dialogue and common purpose among presenters and participants.

• Emotions: What are the emotional responses to climate change and peak oil? Does "eco-anxiety" exist? How does one maintain optimism and motivation in the face of media narratives of crisis? How can psychologists and mental health professionals address the economic and emotional legacies of environmental damage?
• Ethics: Do psychologists, and those working in other mental health fields, have an ethical responsibility to address questions of climate change and environmental sustainability? Are there links between environmental conditions, such as climate change and peak oil, and mental health? Should the ethics codes of mental health disciplines be modified to recognize the value of the natural environment in promoting emotional well-being? Do we have an ethical imperative to protect the rights of other species and future generations?
• Behavior Change: What research and clinical practices are most effective in reinforcing and promoting behavioral changes? Do small behavior changes lead to larger, more comprehensive changes? Do values have to change in order for behaviors to change? What is the best way to frame change messages? What is the most effective way to communicate difficult information about our environmental situation?

 

Day two of the conference, a series of workshops will explore the three panel topics in greater depth, from the perspectives of teaching, research, therapy, activism, and spirituality.

Day three of the conference, participants will have the option to engage in a restorative experience or to work in groups on issues generated by the conference panels and workshops.