Occupational Therapy and the Current Ecological Crisis

Abstract

It is argued that occupational therapy's focus on activities related to wellbeing puts it in a privileged position to contribute practical measures to stem the social and ecological threats posed by current human impacts on the natural environment. Three areas in which occupational therapy could contribute such measures are summarised briefly. These are (1) help in understanding how people negotiate and adjust their daily activities in situations of ecological and social stress; (2) interventions that link the conservation of biodiversity with the conservation of occupations; and (3) a renewed focus on balance in the everyday activities of people in the industrialised world.

Household Waste Sorting and Engagement in Everyday Life Occupations After Migration—A Scoping Review

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Spirituality across Disciplines: Research and Practice:

“…There is a growing body of literature that has explored human occupation in relation to global ecology, wellbeing and sustainable development (Hudson and Aoyama 2008;Erlandsson 2002, 2014;Wagman 2014;Whittaker 2012). There is little doubt that humanity needs to wake-up to the escalating levels of ecological degradation, which are predicted to impact on communities in terms of health, forced migration (climate refugees), as well as limited access to fresh water, fuel and food (Collins 2014).…”

How to contribute occupationally to ecological sustainability: A literature review

“…This way of contributingthrough exploringan occupational perspective was proposed to facilitate an understanding of people's occupational choices (21,23). The importance of exploration within the profession was also highlighted.…”