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Transformative Responses to Global Environmental Change

The world is experiencing significant environmental change, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, which has multiple
and intersecting impacts on people and places. These global environmental changes are grounded in, and exacerbated by,
oppressive systems such as colonialism, neoliberal capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy. Addressing these
complexities requires courageous responses to transform dominant structures of injustice for the rights and flourishing of
people and planet.

The research supports and promotes interdisciplinary interventions that are participatory and action-oriented, being
informed by Indigenous knowledge systems and upholding principles of climate justice. Projects include studies of socially
and ecologically just transitions from extractivism, inclusive social movements for climate justice, human mobility and place
attachment, and ecological grief.

Projects

Climate change and the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people

Chief Investigators

  • Naomi Joy Godden (ECU)
  • Mara West (Telethon Kid Institute)
  • Brad Farrant (Telethon Kids Institute)
  • Mindy Blaise (ECU)
  • Trudi Cooper (ECU)
  • Sue Bailey (ECU)
  • Zoe Leviston (Australian National University)
  • Jaime Yallup Farrant (Climate Justice Union WA)
  • Colin Penter (WA Association for Mental Health)
  • Navjot Bhullar (ECU)
  • Lucy Hopkins (ECU)
  • Jason Barrow (Ngarlark Katitjin)
  • Mena Tabeshfar (young person)
  • Bella Burgemeister (young person)
  • Emma Heyink (young person)
  • Eva Carot-Collins (young person)

Partners

  • Youth climate advocates
  • Climate Justice Union WA
  • Ngarlark Katitjin
  • Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia
  • Western Australian Association for Mental Health

Description
In partnership with WA Aboriginal leaders, youth and mental health sectors, and youth climate leaders, this project aims to support the community, practitioners, and policymakers to understand and enhance the mental health and wellbeing of WA children and young people affected by climate change. The project will generate an evidence base to inform improved policy, practice and service delivery in the areas of Aboriginal health, mental health, children and youth, and climate change. The WA community, families, and Aboriginal, mental health and children and youth organisations and practitioners will have increased knowledge about protective strategies to mitigate the detrimental psychological impacts of climate change and support the resilience and coping capacities of children and young people responding to climate change.

Publications

  1. Godden, N., Farrant, B., Yallup Farrant, J., Heyink, E., Carot Collins, E., Burgemeister, B., Tabeshfar, M., Barrow, J., West, M., Kieft, J., Rothwell, M., Leviston, Z., Bailey, S., Blaise, M., Cooper, T. (2021). Climate change, activism, and supporting the mental health of children and young people: Perspectives from Western Australia. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 57(11), 1759-1764. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.15649.

A Just Transition for Collie that Leaves No One Behind

Chief Investigators

  • Dr Naomi Godden
  • Dr Mehran Nejati
  • Prof Angus Morrison-Saunders

Funding
Climate Justice Union WA, $6,400 
Centre for People, Place & Planet, $9,994

Partners

  • Climate Justice Union WA

Description
The community of Collie on Wilman Boodja is transitioning from coal-fired energy production. This project aims to support the Collie community to achieve the type of transition they need and deserve; one which reduces inequity and provides a positive future for the whole community for generations to come. In collaboration with and led by Collie community members and stakeholders, the project builds on decades of community-based work that has come before it, to produce a local baseline social justice profile which highlights how diverse community members are likely to be impacted by the energy transition, and by the increasing and expected local impacts of climate change. The project aims to accelerate the achievement of key just transition priorities in the transition away from coal.

Climate Justice Toolkit

Chief Investigators

  • Dr Naomi Godden
  • Dr Libby Jackson-Barrett
  • Dr Sue Bailey
  • Dr Mehran Nejati Ajibisheh
  • Shajimon Peter
  • Dr Julie Nyanjom
  • Dr Janine Joyce

Funding
Lotterywest, $251,370

Partners

  • Western Australia Council of Social Service
  • Rise Network
  • Climate Justice Union WA
  • Mercycare
  • Anglicare
  • Centre for Just Places

Description
WA community service organisations will collaborate with ECU’s Centre for People, Place and Planet to develop a Climate Justice and Resilience Toolkit. This toolkit is a comprehensive resource with tools and guidelines to support WA community service organisations to understand and respond to the intersection of climate change and social justice and embed a climate justice lens in their operations and programs. The project involves the development of the Toolkit; delivery of a training program on climate change and social justice and the Toolkit to community service organisations in metro, regional and remote WA; and applied research to understand the Toolkit’s impact and effectiveness in the sector.

Publications

  1. Godden, N., Wijekoon, D., Wrigley, K. (2022). Social (In)justice, climate change and climate policy in Western Australia. Environmental Sociology, 8(4), 377-387. https://doi.org/10.1080/23251042.2022.2069216.
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