Why Clinical Psychologists are Participating in Climate Activsm
A number of ACP-UK members will be supporting the Extinction Rebellion protests this April. Please do consider joining us. You can contact us on [email protected] if you would like to meet up with us on the march. We have never encountered any pressure to engage in an arrestable action at an Extinction Rebellion protest.
The climate crisis represents a health emergency, and we have less than ten years to halve emissions to avoid runaway climate breakdown that would threaten all life on Earth. ACP-UK published a position statement in 2020 to affirm that non-violent direct action relating to climate breakdown should be seen as compatible with the values underpinning clinical psychology and healthcare more broadly. The statement can be read here. More recently, APC-CAN has published a statement actively encouraging members to participate in non-violent direct action. This statement can be accessed here. Professor Mike Wang, Chair of ACP-UK, has pledged that ACP-UK will support any member with any questions of professional competency if they are arrested for non-violent direct action in relation to climate justice.
This page links to some personal narratives from qualified and trainee clinical psychologists concerning why they have become involved in climate activism. The views expressed in these narratives are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the position of ACP-UK. Evidence indicates that simply sharing information about the urgency for action does not support engagement with the crisis. Personal accounts might be better placed for supporting us in remaining more emotionally involved with a highly distressing topic. We thus share these narratives in the hope that more in the profession are encouraged to participate in one of many forms of climate activism.
Please contact us if you would like to join us on the 9th April, or if you are a psychologist keen to share your personal motivations for why you are taking action. Email us at [email protected]
Dr Elanor Lewis-Holmes’ Narrative
This link is to an interview with Dr Rosie Jones, Clinical Psychologist, on why she took action with Extinction Rebellion: https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/i-took-my-turn-friday-be-arrested
