approaches to environmental sustainability
KINGSTON, R.I. — November 5, 2001 — To Deborah Du Nann Winter, a psychology professor at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., environmental problems are not just the concern of environmental scientists. Winter will discuss how psychology plays a role in environmental sustainability through analysis of human behaviors, feelings, and attitudes as part of the University of Rhode Island fall Honors Colloquium, “A Just and Sustainable Future: Overcoming Barriers to Action.”
Winter will speak on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in Room 271 of the Chafee Social Science Center on URI’s Kingston Campus. Her lecture, entitled “Changing Our Minds: Psychological Barriers to a Sustainable Future,” will address such questions as, “Why do I leave all the lights on and let the water run, even though I belong to the Sierra Club?” It is free and open to the public.
Winter’s research focuses on the link between environmental and peace issues. Her book Ecological Psychology: Healing the Split between Planet and Self examines major theories in psychology for their potential contributions to building sustainable cultures. She argues that survival on earth will require changing human behavior in its political and spiritual contexts.
She has also written about the environmental damage of militarism, international efforts and conflict over environmental policy, the impact of war and environmental damage on children, and the gender dimensions of militarism and environmental problems. Her most recent book, Peace, Conflict, and Violence: Peace Psychology for the 21st Century, examines peace and war at the turn of the millennium.
Winter was recently elected an officer of the Peace Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association, and in 2001 she was given an Outstanding Service Award from the Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict and Violence. She also serves as chairperson of the sustainable development committee of Psychologists for Social Responsibility.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College and her master’s and doctorate from the University of New Hampshire.
For more information about the many other events of the URI Honors Colloquium, visit www.uri.edu/sustainability, or call the Honors Program at 874-2303. The major sponsors of the colloquium are The Providence Journal and the Rhode Island Committee for the Humanities.
For Information: Todd McLeish 874-7892, Jennifer Smith 874-2116