Climate change and social-emotional wellbeing in children and young people : second call for papers

Abstract

2021 may be remembered as the year of global warming and climate change not only because the landmark UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and the Glasgow Climate Pact, but also because of the extreme weather patterns experienced by countries across the globe. The impact of climate change on physical, health, social and emotional wellbeing is becoming an increasing matter of concern as people struggle with unprecedented extreme weather patterns and dark forecasts for the years to come. In this thematic issue we would like to give a platform to this issue with a particular focus on the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people. In particular, we would welcome contributions that deal with the direct impact of climate change on children and young people's mental health, as well as the ways in which young people’s perceptions about climate impact on their social-emotional well-being and the potential for emotionally resilient responses and climate change. We would also like to explore the relationship between social and emotional learning and climate change and how social and emotional education may make a positive contribution to constructive human responses to climate change. A major concern is the need to develop understandings of how to support young people to comprehend the nature of anthropomorphic climate change and its likely remedies whilst protecting them from pathological levels of anxiety and depression. [excerpt]