PhD in Psychology — City Live

Adam France speaks to Ross Stewart from Edinburgh and John Paul Hose from India about climate change for the ‘100 Voices: Home and Away’ project

Home- Ross Stewart, 28, Edinburgh

Ross Stewart, 28, from Edinburgh, who currently works part-time as a tutor as he completes his PhD year studying psychology at the University of Edinburgh, explained: “Right now, I'd say climate change impacts on my behaviours in terms of recycling. Whilst the weather, and uncertainty of it at times can be a struggle, I'm definitely more aware of the choices I make due to climate change.

“I believe that in some sense, all of us have a role to play. There are small steps that we can all take, such as choosing to recycle or shop locally. However, those in power also have a duty to enact policy that enforces changes, particularly in terms of businesses. On that, it'd also be helpful if we didn't have billionaires blasting themselves into space just for a wee look.

Away- John Paul Jose, 24, India

John Paul Jose is a 24-year-old Indian climate activist who has been actively campaigning against climate change from his young teens. He said: “I hail from an agricultural family and since childhood, I have been living in a hilly natural place. Gradually environmental issues began to influence the region around us and the globe. These issues were difficult to digest.

At the same time, I also came to know about climate change and how it's impacting the earth as a whole.

“Slowly we began to feel the impact of climate change in our traditional livelihood, and also on the environment in which we live. Unusual and extreme rainfall, floods, landslides and storms are becoming common. With these, our environment is becoming vulnerable and socio-economic insecurity is more likely. Most importantly there is anxiety due to lack of action and increasing climate crisis and subsequent fear of the future.”