Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Program Name/Specialization

Community Psychology

Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

First Advisor

Dr. Manuel Riemer

Advisor Role

Supervisor

Abstract

The settler-caused climate crisis poses severe global threats, driving action from youth and emerging adults. Prior to COVID-19 lockdowns, youth-led climate organizations were highly active, but social distancing has hindered youth engagement and exacerbated psychological distress among marginalized emerging adult climate justice activists. Previous research indicates that well-being and social participation are interrelated. Guided by the critical transformative paradigm, this qualitative research examines the effects of care webs on the well-being and sustained engagement of marginalized emerging adults in climate justice activism. Care webs, informed by disability justice, are de-professionalized, non-hierarchical, reciprocal, and anti-oppressive systems of care. Participants were asked to draw their care webs and then participate in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. They were divided into two groups for the interview questions based on their engagement in climate justice before or after the COVID-19 lockdowns. Results indicate a connection between well-being and engagement, with care webs acting as moderators having both positive and negative impacts. The findings also suggest the importance of reciprocal relationships for participants' well-being. Contrary to existing literature, participants reported balanced caring relationships or receiving more care than they provided. This finding raises questions but is also challenged in the discussion of this thesis. The study seems to show more negative effects of climate justice activism on racialized individuals, raising concerns about white-led climate justice organizations remaining rooted in anti-racist influences of environmental justice movements. This research offers pathways to address these tendencies and suggests future studies critically examine climate justice to ensure alignment with anti-racist theories.

Convocation Year

2024

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