University of Denver Winter 2024

CLIMATE CHANGE ENTERS FAMILY PLANNING DISCUSSION Nicholas Perry is a clinical psychol ogist who had a eureka moment while working with a couple in his small private practice in Denver. “The couple was trying to make decisions about whether they wanted to have children. And the wife really wanted kids. That was an important goal for her in her life. And the husband was sort on the fence. And one of the reasons he articulated feeling hesitant about having kids is climate change,” says Perry. The man loved being outdoors, Perry

According to Reyes Mason, social workers address these types of issues from three levels of practice. Those working at the micro level provide direct, clinical practice or therapy, such as child welfare. Those at the meso level work on community organizing and activism for a greener, cleaner environment. Macro-level practitioners work on government policy and intervention and focus on changing structures or systems that historically impact disadvantaged communities. As for Reyes Mason, she will continue to use her voice to lead and advocate for climate justice and help prepare social workers on the ground.

adds, but he was struggling with feelings of grief over global warming and was worried that his future kids wouldn’t have the same kind of experiences in nature that he had growing up. “There are other reasons, but this one really jumped out at me and kind of kicked on my scientist brain,” says Perry, a research assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and member of DU’s Center for Marital and Family Studies. Perry, whose work focuses on sexual and gender minority health and health disparities through the lens of romantic partners and families, started wondering how couples talk about

30 | UNIVERSITY of DENVER MAGAZINE • WINTER 2024