Affiliation:
Boston University and Harvard University
Short bio:
Erinn C. Cameron, Ph.D. is a Clinical Ecopsychologist and HBNU Fogarty Global Health Fellow. She completed her doctoral work at Fielding Graduate University and her doctoral clinical residency at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. In July, she begins a 3-year Global Mental Health Fellowship at Boston Medical Center/Boston University. Her work investigates the intersection of climate change and water insecurity on mental health, health-seeking behaviors, and treatment adherence of pregnant women living with HIV in South Africa, where she also has an appointment at Stellenbosch University. Dr. Cameron is working to address the mental health treatment gap in underserved communities in the Western Cape, South Africa, by training sisters (nurses) in mental health service delivery in township clinics outside Cape Town. Further, she is mentoring LMIC psychology graduate students in research methods and scholarly writing. In 2023, Dr. Cameron was awarded the Dr. Sally Peterson Research Excellence Award for her first-authored paper regarding female incarceration and violence against women and the Sukemune Bain Early Career Research Award for her work regarding climate change and women’s health. Her dissertation work in women’s health continues to win awards, including from APA Division 55, University of New Mexico School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry Research Showcase Award, and the NIDRA R13 Early Career Research Award. Dr. Cameron is also an inaugural member of the APA Division 52 International Environmental Justice Committee, where she is co-editor for an upcoming special edition of International Perspectives in Psychology titled “Environmental Justice and Psychology: Alternative Ideas on Environmental Justice.” She is also an editor for the upcoming Cambridge Handbook of Psychology and the Planet.
Title:
Amplifying Women’s Voices in Environmental Justice and Culturally Informed Climate Adaptation Strategies
Abstract:
Climate change disproportionately impacts women and is a critical social determinant of health associated with increased disease prevalence, poverty, socioeconomic inequalities, and violence. Combined with other intersecting factors, gender inequalities increase the severity of the climate crisis for women globally. Rather than focus on how women are more vulnerable to environmental degradation, my talk will address this topic from a strengths-based and feminist perspective. A feminist theoretical lens is crucial for understanding the effects of climate change from an environmental justice and human rights perspective, including a clearer understanding of how women are already addressing the climate crisis through action, policy, leadership, empowerment, knowledge, and representation contexts. The status and education of women are determining factors in societal and environmental well-being. Empowering women and amplifying their voices is crucial for developing effective climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.