Health and Wellbeing
Health
The 2015 Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change maps out the impacts of climate change, and the necessary policy responses, to ensure the highest attainable standards of health for populations worldwide.
The Climate and Health Alliance (Australia) is an alliance of organisations and people in the health sector working together to raise awareness about the health risks of climate change and the health benefits of emissions reductions. Global Climate and Health Alliance - report, video and infographics on IPCC AR5 health report. Healthcare without Harm seeks to transform the health sector worldwide to become sustainable and a leading advocate for environmental health and justice. Doctors for the Environment Australia is a part of a global network of concerned medical professionals. Code Green and the Climate Change and Health campaign is an initiative of The Australian Medical Students' Association. The World Heath Organization Bulletin of the 2014 WHO conference on health and climate. 
Image: Leon Mead – Newspix
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WellbeingWhen dealing with complex and weighty subject matter like climate change, it's important to look after ourselves.
“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” Coping with climate change distress is a tip sheet that explores many different strategies to cope with the distressing feelings that come from understanding the reality of climate change. Dealing with Burnout is a tip sheet to help you recognise the warning signs of burnout, and that explores the link between climate change and burnout. Here are a few further reading (and listening) recommendations from psychologists Susie Burke and Bronwyn Wauchope: Active Hope by Joanna Macy How do we keep going? Activist burnout and personal sustainability in social movements by Laurence Cox Psychology for a Better World by Niki Harre Flourish by Martin Seligman Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff What we think about when we try not to think about global warming by Per Stoknes Mindful Self-Compassion - Chris Germer Vulnerability (Ted Talk)- Brené Brown We can still be crazy after all these years. We can still be angry after all these years. We can still be timid or jealous, or full of feelings of unworthiness. The point is….not to try and throw ourselves away and become something better. It’s about befriending who we are already. Psychology for a Safe Climate is an organisation helping people to engage rather than withdraw, and have several publications available online. Support servicesPsychologist Phone Support
Climate Reality has been operating in Australia for almost 9 years. In that time, we have seen a number of people 'burn out' and feel over-burdened by climate change. If you do feel at all overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, or worried (by climate change, or just generally), know that it's very common. Talking to a psychologist could help you feel much better. The Australian culture is not one that is typically proactive about our mental and emotional health, but our view is that if we're not looking after ourselves, we have less to contribute to these important issues we care deeply about. There are a number of qualified psychologists at the Australian Psychological Society (APS) who have offered their support to those who might want to spend 15-20 minutes talking to a professional. Email the APS at drn@psychology.org.au with 'climate reality' in the subject line if you'd like to access this service. Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 |