Earth day, The Big One and keeping up momentum

This weekend was both Earth Day (Saturday 22nd) and The Big One, a four day action where people from all groups and movements gathered throughout Westminster and at the Houses of Parliament to demand urgent change in the face of the climate and ecological crises.

We wanted to take the opportunity in this moment to encourage and support our wide audience, from around the world, to do three things:

1. Understand more about the climate crisis and particularly the effect on children, young people and vulnerable communities
2. Support organisations in the UK and globally who are working tirelessly to create change
3. Take action in their lives, workplaces and communities, recognising the cumulative effect of many individual actions

To that end we have signposted here to a range of resources and organisations in a bid to keep up the momentum on demanding top-down changes, and grassroots action.

Read

The climate crisis, children, young people and educational psychology (Dr Dan O’Hare, 2022)
A discussion paper to familiarise educational and child psychologists with literature that speaks to the wide-ranging effects of climate breakdown, and to promote consideration of how this affects children, young people, their families and communities.

Research with teachers on climate education and the curriculum (Teach the Future, 2021; 2020)
Two research reports designed to explore teachers’ experiences of climate education and their views on its incorporation within the education system in the future

Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey (Hickman, C., Marks, E., Pihkala, P., et al., 2021)
The first large-scale investigation of climate anxiety in children and young people globally and its relationship with perceived government response.

Unless we act now: the impact of climate change on children (Unicef, 2015)
This report looks at how children, and particularly the most vulnerable, are affected by the climate crisis and what concrete steps need to be taken to protect them.

Association of Clinical Psychologists – UK Statement on the Need for Action to Address the Climate Crisis (2020)
A position statement from the ACP-UK to support professional action and the role of non-violent protest

Watch

Saving our Wild Isles (BBC, 2023)
A special documentary commissioned by the RSPB, WWF and the National Trust. Real stories of passionate people who are trying to restore biodiversity to the British Isles – one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.

Children and climate change: Suggestions for education (EP Reachout – Dr Louise Edgington, 2023)
Louise shares ideas for helping children grow into thinking, resilient, and adaptable citizens, who can thrive in the time of climate change.

Climate Crisis: You’re invited (Save the Children, 2022)
Save the Children’s Youth Advisory Board members Yasmeen and Arunima go through the history of climate change and conservation, look at how floods and heatwaves are affecting children, offer an overview of what’s being done to reduce the impact of climate change, and give a few tips on what we can do about this global issue.

Donate

Donate to build our own ecologi forest.
Ecologi funds climate positive projects around the world, and our own support of these projects has contributed to the prevention of 61.3 tonnes of CO₂e from being emitted through 42 verified carbon avoidance projects.

Support the UK Schools Sustainability Network
The UKSSN brings together regional networks of school pupils to connect and collaborate on climate issues they care about.

Support the UK Student Climate Network
The UKSCN is a group of youth strikers who work together to support youth strikes all over England and Wales. They run campaigns, work with other national movements and provide support to over 100 local groups across the country. They aim to create a new generation of young activists who are educated about society and the change we need.

World Wildlife Fund Climate Crisis Fund
The WWF Climate Crisis Fund supports vital climate projects around the world including protecting the Amazon, restoring forests and habitats, safeguarding polar worlds and advocacy.

Donate to the Climate Coalition
The Climate Coalition are the UK’s largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change. They are a group of over 130 organisations — including the National Trust, Women’s Institute, Oxfam, and RSPB. Donations help keep up the pressure on the UK Government and deliver campaigns like the Great Big Green Week.

Act

Save our Wild Isles is an initiative between the WWF, RSPB and National Trust. They have a range of resources to support action in a range of contexts:

• At home
• At work
• At school
• In your community

9 things you can do about climate change (The Grantham Institute, Imperial College)

A comprehensive resource offering nine evidence-based actions we can take to make a difference. The webpages provide further information and signposting to supporting evidence for these 9 actions:

1. Make your voice heard by those in power
2. Eat less meat and dairy
3. Cut back on flying
4. Leave the car at home
5. Reduce your energy use (and bills!)
6. Respect and protect green spaces
7. Invest your money responsibly
8. Cut consumption – and waste
9. Talk about the changes you make

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Sustainability is one of our core values at edpsy. You can read more about the actions we take to be a planet positive organisation.

We are keen to support other EP organisations in becoming better for the planet. Please do get in touch if this is something you’re keen to discuss.

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