"Seeing Futures" Conference

13th Nov 2010 00:00

Sustainable Living: can psychological insights resolve the paradox of why we won't do what we must do?
 

This question is central to the “Seeing Futures” conference at UWE Bristol on 13 November 2010.

Speakers at this event will:

* take us through an ABC of climate science, including matters of certainty and uncertainty, tipping points, positive feedback, as well as the fundamental flaws in the main “sceptic” arguments;

* contextualise the climate issue within the wider question of sustainable practice and consider how available knowledge is treated in the public arena, e.g. the media and politics;

* examine the various levels of denial (economically, ideologically and psychologically driven) which are causing a kind of sleepwalk towards disaster.

Finally, an eco-psychologist will explore the challenge of how we integrate our mental and emotional responses to the threat facing human and bio-diverse life on our planet. Her vision proposes an “ecological self”.

The conference will be chaired by Sara Parkin, Founder Director of Forum for the Future and author of The Positive Deviant.

Psychologists of all hues can contribute to this integrative task, help prepare for the adaptive work that will be required of us and possibly even contribute to the alleviation of adverse planetary change.

Fee: £80 (includes lunch).

Please register online or send a cheque (payable to UWE. Bristol) to:
Glynis Morrish
Centre for Psycho-Social Studies
University of the West of England
Department of Health and Applied Social Sciences
Room 3L07, Frenchay Campus,
Coldharbour Lane Bristol BS16 1QY

For further information e-mail the conference organisers at [email protected]

(A limited number of half-price concessionary places are available to CPSS students and the unwaged – apply to the conference organisers at [email protected] )

View this event on the EAUC website →