Climate Change as a Disrupter of Sense of Place

doi:10.1017/9781009473798.006

3 - Climate Change as a Disrupter of Sense of Place

from Part II - Examples, Issues and Opportunities for Policy and Practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 May 2026

Janet Stanley and

Edited by

Iain M. Butterworth: Affiliation:
Iain Butterworth and Associates

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Summary

This chapter explores the psychological impacts of climate change, focusing on how communities adjust to disruptions in place caused by extreme events. It argues that global adaptation frameworks, including those of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, often overlook psychological factors such as grief, place attachment, and the need to repurpose or redefine damaged environments. Drawing on examples from Australia and the United States, the chapter shows how these psychological dimensions shape community resilience, adaptation, and collective action. By critically examining existing adaptation policies, it identifies significant gaps in acknowledging the central role of psychology in shaping sustainable responses. The chapter advocates for integrating psychological insights into policymaking and community engagement to support more effective, equitable climate strategies. Ultimately, it stresses that recognising these relationships with place is essential for addressing the difficult choices that arise when beloved environments become unliveable due to escalating climate risks.

Keywords

climate change adaptation solastalgia community resilience extreme weather psychological adjustment

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: The Psychology of Place
Rebuilding Sense of Place in a Post-Colonial World
, pp. 57 - 75

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009473798.006 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2026

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