SCITECH RECENTLY: EPIC Environment, EPIC Mind - Mapping the Terrain of Environmental Psychology
By: Alessia Abrenica, Krisha Deloso, Marielle Pesa, and Kenaiah Ramos
What better way to culminate Science Week than with a new scientific ‘first’ for the country? Staying true to the theme of ‘Open Science,’ the UST College of Science Psychology Department hosted the Philippines’ first Environmental Psychology International Conference (EPIC), which focused on the role of psychological science in addressing the impact of climate change. This event was held online via Zoom and Facebook live, as well as onsite at the UST Central Laboratory Auditorium from 8 AM to 5 PM last March 23, 2024.
The first keynote speaker, Dr. Susan Clayton from the College of Wooster in the USA, tackled the psychological responses to climate change, stating that natural disasters heavily impact a victim’s well-being, and these impacts can last, eventually causing cases of PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and cognitive dysfunction.
Dr. Oliver Sta. Ana of the Psychological Association of the Philippines - Environmental Psychology Special Interest Group (PAP - EPSIG) meanwhile presented about how environmental psychology is being nurtured in the Philippine setting. He showed how the organization actively protects and restores the environment through spreading awareness, generating interest, creating opportunities, and conducting research.
The final plenary speaker of the morning session was Dr. Ricardo Mira from the University of Coruña, Spain, who emphasized the importance of cooperation with both local authorities and the public in the co-production of knowledge and projects under environmental psychology.
Beginning the afternoon session was Vice Chairperson and Executive Director of the Climate Change Commission, Sec. Robert E.A. Borje, who also emphasized the importance of mindset and active participation by stating that we need a pivotal, transformative shift in perspective from different social sciences to mitigate climate change.
Dr. John Jamir Benzon R. Aruta from the Psychological Association of the Philippines then opened the plenary with a talk on the disparities between the research activities about environmental psychology in the Global North and Global South regions. He highlighted how countries of the Global South like the Philippines were less studied despite being more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Lastly, Dr. Marino Bonaiuto from the Sapienza University of Rome expanded on the social process of accepting mitigation and adaptation energy technologies. According to him, the public’s belief in an energy source’s accessibility and reliability is essential for them to develop positive attitudes and support for sustainable technologies.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Karen Katrina V. Trinidad, Ph.D., Chair of the UST College of Science Psychology Department, emphasized the role of psychology in understanding human behavior in different environmental conditions. “It is very important that we understand the behavior so that we can implement interventions and research to help the field,” she said.
Environmental psychology remains a juvenile field that may offer an extensive scope on the impact of environmental sustainability on mental health. Embracing the lessons of environmental psychology empowers us to forge a path toward a more resilient, harmonious, and mentally stable community for generations to come–an epic aspiration indeed.
