Biography

Ann Sanson is a developmental psychologist whose research has principally focused on understanding the role of child, family and community characteristics in social and emotional development from infancy to adulthood. She is a principal investigator on two major Australian longitudinal studies – the 3-generation Australian Temperament Project (https://www.melbournechildrens.com/atp/) and the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (https://growingupinaustralia.gov.au). Her engagement with psychology’s contributions to social issues includes roles with the Australian Psychological Society, the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, and the international Committee for the Psychological Study of Peace. Her current work focuses on the impact of the climate crisis on current and future generations of children. She is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne, and a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development. She has over 200 publications.

1-059 - Impacts of the Climate Crisis on Children and Youth: Roles for Developmental Science

Session Type: Invited Address

Integrative Statement

The increase in extreme weather events across the world is a harbinger of much worse climate impacts in the near future. As a disruptor of the basic necessities for health and well-being, global warming poses an existential threat to current and future generations of children and youth. Urgent action is needed to avoid catastrophic impacts.

This talk considers the many ways in which we, as developmental science researchers, practitioners and advocates, can use our knowledge, skills and resources to help protect future generations. We can help them develop a sense of agency and resilience to cope with the climate threat, engage effectively in climate mitigation and adaptation, and develop skills and attributes to live in a climate-changed and low-carbon world. And as informed advocates for the younger generation, we can work for urgent transformational change at national and global levels.

Sub Unit

• Invited Program

Chair

• Francisca Romo, University of Virginia

Speaker

• Ann Sanson, University of Melbourne