Guest essay by Eric Worrall
The American Psychological Association has published a long rambling paper on climate stress, which amongst other things includes a bizarre claim that use of public transport can help alleviate psychological disorders.
MENTAL HEALTH AND OUR CHANGING CLIMATE: IMPACTS, IMPLICATIONS, AND GUIDANCE
March 2017
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Direct experience with and future unknown e ects of climate change can cause children to exhibit symptoms of PTSD, such as phobic behavior, panic, nightmares, and anxiety.
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Climate solutions are available now, are widespread, and support psychological health. Increasing adoption of active commuting, public transportation, green spaces, and clean energy are all solutions that people can choose to support and integrate into their daily lives. These climate solutions, among others, can help to curb the stress, anxiety, and other mental illnesses incurred from the decline of economies, infrastructure, and social identity that comes from damage to the climate.
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Read more: http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2017/03/mental-health-climate.pdf
Other interesting hilights;
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A PARTISAN ISSUE
Politically polarized in the United States, climate change is perceived as an issue that belongs with the political left (Dunlap, McCright, & Yarosh, 2016), which can suppress belief and concern and discussions about solutions. For example, of the 36% of Americans who are personally concerned a great deal about climate issues, 72% are Democrats, and 27% are Republicans (Pew Research Center, 2016). Political orientation can make open conversations about climate impacts and solutions di cult, and make those who are concerned about climate change feel isolated or paranoid in some circles (Geiger & Swim, 2016).
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UNCERTAINTY AND DENIAL
People feel uncertain about the threat of climate change and how to minimize the damage. The media have been criticized for promoting an inaccurate perception of climate change (Antilla, 2005): for example, that there is more scienti c controversy about climate change than actually exists. In some cases, information that increases perceptions of the reality of climate change may feel so frightening that it leads to denial and thus a reduction in concern and support for action (McDonald et al., 2015).
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Public transportation invigorates community mental health.
Moving people from individual cars to public transit also results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, several studies have shown that using public transportation leads to an increase in community cohesion, recreational activities, neighborhood walkability, and reduced symptoms of depression and stress associated with less driving and more exercise (Allen, 2008; Appleyard, 1981; Bell & Cohen, 2009; Berke, Gottlieb, Vernez Moudon, & Larson, 2007; Wener & Evens, 2007 as cited in Litman, 2010).
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CHRONIC IMPACTS
Aggression and violence
The psychological impacts of warmer weather on aggression and violence have been extensively studied. Lab-based experiments and eld-based surveys have demonstrated a causal relationship between heat and aggression (Anderson, 2001; Simister & Cooper, 2005). In other words, as the temperature goes up, so does aggression.
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Read more: Same link as above
Of all the assertions, the strangest claim has got to be the claim about public transport. My stress levels tend to skyrocket when my car is out of action. No doubt this stress is exacerbated by unpleasant public transport experiences.
Last time I rode the bus, I inadvertently sat on a very wet bus seat. Lets just say it wasn’t raining outdoors.
Those psychologists probably never sat on a bus in LA. I do that quite frequently. Lots of mentally disturbed people ride the bus. I’ve often thought that if the same percentage of lunatics were driving on the highways it’s a miracle there aren’t more wrecks.
What kind of “science” engages the pseudo-scientific services of psychoanalysts to smear skeptics?
What kind of evolutionary benefit do these psychoanalysts suppose might be conferred by genes for ignoring obvious threats? Why doesn’t Darwinian reasoning, or for that matter evidence of any kind, ever figure in psychoanalysis?
How come the patients of psychoanalysts never improve as a consequence of the services rendered?
And why didn’t climate “scientists” take note of that fact before seeking their “help”?
Climate solutions are available now, are widespread, and support psychological health. Increasing adoption of active commuting, public transportation, green spaces, and clean energy are all solutions that people can choose to support and integrate into their daily live:
go for a coffee at the windpark.
Johann Wundersamer: “green spaces”
Green spaces, meaning green like the color of plant leaves and grasses? Of course only live plant leaves and grasses appear green because they are engaged in photosynthesis. Photosynthesis requires atmospheric Carbon Dioxide, and more CO2 supports more photosynthesis. So, augmenting atmospheric CO2 is the true “climate solution”.
There are no green spaces without Carbon Dioxide.
After sniffing the air while riding a public bus in San Francisco, I vigorously disagree.
Where I live there seems to be a very direct relationship between mental illness and the people that utilize public transportation.
Include the people that utilize the public transportation system infrastructure (the primary bus stop hubs) but don’t actually go anywhere on a regular basis and it becomes obvious that the relationship between mental illness and public transportation is very strong.
Note that they said “alleviate”. Allow a bunch of like minded (and like smell) people to congregate together and they will be more comfortable. Put one of those smelly individuals into a group of normal folks and the smelly guy will recognize his shortcomings; he will be more stressed. So there is truth to what they are spewing.
Notice how the claim that aggression goes up as the temps go up offers zero explanation for same and seems oddly at odds with the portrait of South Americans taking a peaceful siesta in the heat of the day. I’m quite sure any study composed by a psychologist failed to control for all of the thousand and one variables that are correlated with aggression. Also, as temps go up, people move outside
and thereby place themselves in situations where aggression is more likely. I visualize a simple minded study that correlates temps with crime, which, not so oddly, rises as the criminals spend extended periods outside. Every one is aware that during winter snows and cold weather, criminal
activity drops to very low levels. Maybe these psychologists can pioneer a “cold therapy” where the mentally deranged are kept in cold storage.
When I was a police dispatcher many years ago calls would always increase when the temp. went up. Yes people were outside because many probably didn’t have a/c and it was cooler outside. Many weren’t criminals, just neighbors fighting against each other, husband and wife fighting, boyfriend and girlfriend fighting, siblings fighting, and etc…
This has to be by far the silliest article I’ve seen on WUWT. The CAGW crowd goes further and further out in left field everyday.
The deadenders all have faculty posts.
Is there nothing the evil psychology community will not label PTSD??? It’s insulting and demeaning. I have no belief in any of this anymore. It’s nothing but politics treated with medications and dogs. Science is dead in this field 100%.
If one is interested in the quality of argument exhibited in this post, one need only purchase a reasonably healthy cow, put it out to pasture and collect what it leaves in the field. There will be an ample supply.
I betcha not all snake oil salesmen believed they were selling cures . . ; )
Placebo Effect !!
I say this as someone who took the bus downtown this week for the first time in 27 years, to avoid the PARKING FEES, not anything associated with global warming.
Public transport is fine if you’re going to or from a city center. Between two places which are not city centers and not on the same route, now that’s another matter. In that case you could have to travel 20 miles in the wrong direction just to cover an actual distance of one mile.
There is also an argument that time-limited parking just increases the amount of driving done, since it prevents the driver from stopping and walking. So, a guy drives to town to call various places, if there were no restrictions he would probably leave the car at the first stop and walk to the others. Since he cannot leave it there, he has to drive to every point of call instead. Result, more congestion, more pollution.