The Psychology of Climate Change

While around 75% of the general public in the UK and US say climate change is an important issue it is not seen as an immediate threat.

Dr Tom Crompton of WWF, who have produced a number of reports over the past few years. said there needs to be a shift away from short-term campaigning.

“The environmental movement has for too long focused on policy response, without considering the social and psychological barriers.” Dr Tom Crompton, WWF

A recent report published by the American Psychological Association suggests that anxiety and helplessness are the biggest barriers to individuals taking action against climate change.

Janet Swim, APA report chair, said it will help us to “understand how to get people to act” by looking at the reasons for inaction.

The report identified key barriers, including;

Uncertainty

Research has shown that uncertainty over climate change reduces the frequency of “green” behaviour.

Mistrust

Evidence shows that most people don’t believe the risk messages of scientists or government officials.

Social Comparison

People routinely compare their actions with those of others and derive subjective and descriptive norms from their observations about what is the “proper” course of action.

Undervaluing Risks

A study of more than 3,000 people in 18 countries showed that many people believe environmental conditions will worsen in 25 years. While this may be true, this thinking could lead people to believe that changes can be made later.

Lack of Control

People believe their actions would be too small to make a difference and choose to do nothing.

Perceived Behavioural Control

Because climate change is a global problem, many individuals understandably believe that they can do nothing about it.

Habit

Ingrained behaviours are extremely resistant to permanent change while others change slowly.

Are we like frogs placed in cold water, not truly perceiving the danger as the water heats and we are cooked to death? Divorced from a connection to nature, as many people are, it is more difficult to perceive the longer term. Will this research allow us to break through the barriers so we can achieve a true shift towards eco-conciousness?

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3. Amazon hit by climate chaos
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