In this post, I want to introduce and briefly describe a somewhat challenging concept: The idea that “cultivating a globally sustainable self” is an important yet often overlooked part of creating stronger, more resilient human systems. Where does this “Globally Sustainable Self” concept come from? In working with colleagues across academic disciplines, geographic areas [...]
What does adulthood mean for men in 2017? And what does science say makes a happy adulthood? Is there an optimum way to communicate your emotions in relationships? How can you make the most of the victories and losses in your past, and set positive goals for the future? How can you connect with nature [...]
Thomas gave two invited talks on the mental health impacts of climate change for the Columbia University Global Mental Health Program in New York, New York. • Mental Health Impacts of Global Climate Change: Beyond a Disaster Framework | 11/14/16 • Studying Climate Global Climate Change Is a Personal Growth Opportunity | 11/15/16
On November 2, 2016 the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach California hosted a day-long forum titled “Climate Change Messaging that Works: Psychological Perspectives.” The forum brought climate scientists and psychologists together to develop strategies to motivate people to act on climate change. Thomas was a panelist and also member of a working group of experts [...]
Thomas led a workshop on environmental identity at Vive Northwest’s inaugural conference event, “Culturally Diversifying the Outdoors.” The event was designed to bring together organizations across the private, non profit and government sectors in the outdoor and nature industries to initiate a conversation around a strategy to make the outdoor spaces of the Pacific Northwest [...]
I wanted to share news about this second annual event happening in June. This is an incredible group of local speakers, with more being added daily, and the value is outstanding. We had a very powerful experience last year and many new connections were made. The Lewis & Clark campus is beautiful in June. Come [...]
Date: Friday, June 5, 2015 Time: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Location: Lewis & Clark Graduate Campus, South Chapel Registration: $125, includes 6.5 CEUs or PDUs, $50 students. Lunch included. Symposium Website I really pleased to host this unique one-day event in Portland! We'll meet on the Lewis & Clark campus, rated #1 Top Green College by [...]
A brief note about a recent summit I attended at James Madison University in Virginia. The event was called "Cultivating the Globally Sustainable Self." Given the title, you can see why I was really excited to be there. This was billed as a "research-to-practice" summit in which educators and representatives from nongovernmental organizations around the [...]
One of the local events I am most proud of from 2014 is the Nature-Health-Access workshop that I created at Lewis and Clark this past summer. A great group came together to discuss issues in access to healthy green spaces among different cultural groups in the Portland area. — Thomas Doherty Earlier this year [...]
After psychologist Thomas Doherty consulted about the Portland Airport’s new food waste diversion program in 2012, the "Sort It and Win" program became more popular with employees and results improved 59%.* Why did this happen? Thomas applied some basic psychology principles to the program. If you are interested in learning more about the links between psychology, conservation, and sustainability, consider attending the Conservation Psychology course at Lewis & Clark Graduate School, October [...]
