Mind & Planet: Empowering Students to move from Climate Anxiety to Climate Action

The climate crisis is not just an environmental process, it is a human and psychological one. Climate distress is a growing phenomenon around the world, particularly in young people, and educators are in a key position to help nurture the green leaders of tomorrow.

“In a study of 37,000 students, across 150 countries, 42% wanted to learn how to protect our planet and 44% wanted to learn more about how to take care of their mental health. However, 79% of secondary educators say they are not teaching about the ecological crisis in a meaningful and relevant way, and 70% of teachers feel they haven’t received adequate training to educate students about climate change” - World’s Largest Lesson

Mind and Planet was designed by Climate Psychologists in collaboration with educators and key experts to empower teachers to support young people to navigate the climate crisis. Based on our three pillars of climate empowerment; awareness, wellbeing and action, educators will attain key foundational knowledge regarding climate change, its impact on mental health and learn more from a cross-section of experts on how best to integrate relevant content and strategies into both their curriculum and extra-curricular school-based activities. 

Across 6 facilitated, 90 minute, online sessions led by Climate Psychologists’ co-directors Dr. Patrick Kennedy-Williams, Megan Kennedy-Woodard (along with the Mind & Planet team and  guest speakers including pedagogical thought leaders, climate scientists, business leaders, journalists and youth leaders), educators will engage on a range of topics related to climate change such as: climate emotions, communication and collective action.  All participants will also be given exclusive access to the Mind & Planet platform*, the global educator forum and resource collection. Upon successful completion and participation, educators will earn a digital badge—acknowledging this investment in their professional learning journey and certifying them as a “Mind & Planet” Educator. 

Learn more at: www.mindandplanet.com

*Registered participants will attain access to the ‘Mind & Platform’ through December 31, 2023 and be provided with a special educator’s discount to extend a subscription to their school community.


Topics/ Keywords 

Climate Anxiety, Green Leadership, Sustainability, Climate Solutions,  Resilience, Communication and Support Strategies


Learning Outcomes

  • Understand and feel more confident teaching climate change and integrating this type of content across subjects 
  • Gain insight to the psychological processes and impacts of climate change on young people
  • Learn how to empower young people to take sustainable action and foster their social development, planning, self-efficacy, and leadership skills

Sessions 

Session 1: Tuesday 5th October - 16.00 - 17.30

Overview

  • Climate Change and its impacts 

Session 2: Tuesday 12th October - 16.00 -17.30

Climate Emotions

  • How does climate change make us feel & Making a Difference
  • Providing guidance in finding a passion 
Session 3: Tuesday 19th October - 16.00 -17.30 

Communicating Climate

  • How to talk to young people and colleagues about the climate crisis
  • How to promote empowerment and engagement
Session 4: Thursday 2 November  - 16.00 - 17.30

Info Smarts

  • Examining, deciphering, and understanding sources
  • Promoting healthy information habits.
Session 5: Thursday 9 November - 16.00 - 17.30

Intersectionality

  • Climate change as an ecological and human level
  • Climate justice and collective action 
Session 6: Thursday 16 November - 16.00 -17.30

Inspiring Sustainable Action

  • Exploring Climate Solutions
  • How to promote resilience in the green leaders of tomorrow

Please note, all course times shown are CEST/ CET. Convert to your time zone

A link to the online meeting room will be shared with all participants via email at least one week prior to the start date.


About the Facilitators

Dr. Patrick Kennedy-Williams

Hello I'm Patrick. I'm an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist and a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society. I hold a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Oxford. 

As a lifelong environmentalist, I have always cared deeply about our planet and its inhabitants. Soon after graduating, I began furthering my knowledge and understanding of environmental psychology. This led to a specific interest in climate change-related mental health and wellbeing, and we formed Climate Psychologists in 2018. I am passionate about helping people working in sustainability, and supporting the green leaders of tomorrow. 

Over the course of my career, I have participated actively in research, and I am currently involved in supporting research into the psychological aspects of climate change, as a supervisor of doctoral research projects. I am a member of the Climate Psychology Alliance and I sit on the advisory board of Climate Cares, Imperial College London.

Megan Kennedy-Woodard

Hello, I’m Megan! I want to help those working towards sustainability feel emotionally sustained. As a climate psychologist, in the context of the climate crisis, I not only ask, ‘How does this make you feel?’ but just as importantly, ‘What are you going to do about it?’

I received my M.Sc in Psychology from The University of East London with a focus on childhood social dynamics. I went on to train at the University of Oxford, where I obtained my P.G. Cert. in Psychodynamic Studies and Advanced Coaching. I am also a qualified Simplicity Parenting Coach.

We look forward to meeting you!

Learn more at: www.climatepsychologists.com


Ecolint Staff: Course registration procedure - please read this document

This course is available for Ecolint Staff only

Interested in this course?

 

Sorry, registrations are either closed or not yet open. Please write to institute@ecolint.ch with any questions.