Community, Psychology and Climate Justice

Brendon Barnes is a professor at the University of Johannesburg with training in psychology and public health. He has worked for over two decades on studies of air pollution, housing, lead poisoning, mercury, water and sanitation, and climate activism funded by large international funders. His research also focuses on marginalisation and African youth climate activists. He has won teaching, academic citizenship, and research awards. He is known for championing the integration of justice in environmental and climate change programmes.

Maria  Fernandes-Jesus is an assistant professor in psychology at the University of Sussex. Her research focuses on understanding processes and dynamics involved in collective action, community-based engagement with climate change, climate justice, youth participation, solidarity, social movements, and political imaginaries of climate futures. She has been involved in several interdisciplinary and international research projects related to these and other topics.     

Carlie D. Trott is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cincinnati where she heads the Collaborative Sustainability Lab. Trott’s research aims to bring visibility to, and work against the inequitable impacts of climate change, socially and geographically. Trott’s climate justice research employs community-engaged, participatory, and action research methods and aims to centre the perspectives and experiences of those most affected by climate disruption and environmental injustice.

Garret Barnwell is a clinical psychologist working as a psychotherapist, community psychology practitioner and researcher. His community psychology practice and research focus on Eco psychosocial accompaniment, and how communities are resisting land, climate and environmental injustices for the flourishing of life. Barnwell was an expert on the landmark youth-led #cancel coal case climate case launched against the South African government’s plans for new coal-fired power. He also serves as an advisor on the American Psychological Association Climate Change Task Force.