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Steel D, Mintz-Woo K, DesRoches CT. Collapse, social tipping dynamics, and framing climate change. POLITICS PHILOSOPHY & ECONOMICS 2024; 23:230-251. [PMID: 39100710 PMCID: PMC11297636 DOI: 10.1177/1470594x231196432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
In this article, we claim that recent developments in climate science and renewable energy should prompt a reframing of debates surrounding climate change mitigation. Taken together, we argue that these developments suggest (1) global climate collapse in this century is a non-negligible risk, (2) mitigation offers substantial benefits to current generations, and (3) mitigation by some can generate social tipping dynamics that could ultimately make renewables cheaper than fossil fuels. We explain how these claims undermine familiar framings of climate change, wherein mitigation is understood as self-sacrifice that individuals and governments must be morally persuaded or incentivized to undertake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Steel
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kian Mintz-Woo
- University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
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Madsen JK, de-Wit L, Ayton P, Brick C, de-Moliere L, Groom CJ. Behavioral science should start by assuming people are reasonable. Trends Cogn Sci 2024; 28:583-585. [PMID: 38763803 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2024.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Should policymaking assume humans are irrational? Using empirical, theoretical, and philosophical arguments, we suggest a more useful frame is that human behavior is reasonable. Through identifying goals and systemic factors shaping behavior, we suggest that assuming people are reasonable enables behavioral science to be more effective in shaping public policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Koed Madsen
- Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, WC2A 2AE, London, UK
| | - Lee de-Wit
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2, 3EB, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Peter Ayton
- Centre for Decision Research, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK
| | - Cameron Brick
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129, 1001, NK, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Holsetgata 31, 2318 Hamar, Norway
| | | | - Carla J Groom
- UK Department for Work & Pensions, Human-Centred Design Science Division, Caxton House, Tothill St, London SW1H 9NA, UK
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Isham A, Morgan G, Kemp AH. Nurturing wellbeing amidst the climate crisis: on the need for a focus on wellbeing in the field of climate psychology. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1205991. [PMID: 37575429 PMCID: PMC10413562 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1205991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Awareness of climate change can prompt overwhelming emotions that threaten wellbeing such as anger, despair, and anxiety. Neoliberal views of human beings and their mental health strip the individual from their social and material context, driving personal dissatisfaction, social isolation, and ecological destruction. In this piece, we contend that advancements in scholarly research on wellbeing offer valuable insights for addressing the challenges posed by the climate crises while respecting human wellbeing. Such frameworks, which include the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) and the GENIAL model, emphasize the interconnected nature of people, communities, and their environment. In turn, they help to lay the groundwork for the development of 'post-growth' societies focused on supporting outcomes such as human wellbeing, social justice, and environmental regeneration. There are a number of different actions that practitioners and even lay individuals can take to promote positive outcomes and effective responses in the face of the climate crisis. These actions, discussed in the concluding sections of the article, aim to foster wellbeing and impactful engagement with the challenges posed by climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Isham
- School of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
- Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Morgan
- School of Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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Marais-Potgieter A, Thatcher A. Exploring the impact of the pandemic on the relationship between individual types and the natural environment: the role of mortality concerns. CURRENT RESEARCH IN ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 4:100096. [PMID: 36936508 PMCID: PMC10008185 DOI: 10.1016/j.cresp.2023.100096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a global event that has impacted every individual on earth in some way and can be viewed as a mortality salience trigger. Although there were reports of increased nature exposure across the world, research is needed to understand whether the pandemic event impacted the underlying psychology of the human-nature nexus. Given the likelihood of pandemics and environmental challenges increasing in frequency in the future, there is a need for a deeper understanding of how pandemics impact individuals' relationship with the natural environment in South Africa. To achieve this, the study applied psychological types (grouping individuals based on homogeneity) to explore potential shifts as human nature is neither fixed, nor universal. The study asked: Given the multiple significant impacts of COVID-19 on the African continent, how have perceptions and attitudes towards the natural environment changed within and between types of individuals from 2016 (pre COVID) to 2021 (COVID) in South Africa? In a longitudinal, quantitative study, separate samples 721 in 2016 and 665 in 2021 were obtained. Participants in 2021 were grouped into the same six types using the same criteria, for comparison with the 2016 data. The results showed limited potential for pandemics to act as catalysts for long-term individual change towards increased pro-environmentalism. The study confirmed the main tenets of Terror Management Theory that individuals tend to be driven to uphold worldviews when confronted with mortality. Furthermore, there was a reduced experience of personal control over outcomes that increased reliance on sources of control outside the self as an attempt to buffer against mortality concerns. The study contributes towards Terror Management Theory's application during pandemics, and how that relates to individual environmental attitudes and perceptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Marais-Potgieter
- Department of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, Private Bag 3, 2050
| | - Andrew Thatcher
- Department of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, Private Bag 3, 2050
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Geiger N, Brick C. Core social motives explain responses to collective action issues. SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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de Moura FR, da Silva Júnior FMR. 2030 Agenda: discussion on Brazilian priorities facing air pollution and climate change challenges. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:8376-8390. [PMID: 36481854 PMCID: PMC9734578 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24601-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The advance of human activities in a disorderly way has accelerated in recent decades, intensifying the environmental impacts directly linked to these practices. The atmosphere, essential for the maintenance of life, is increasingly saturated with pollutants, offering risks to practically all the inhabitants of the planet, a process that, in addition to causing illness and early mortality, is related to serious financial losses (including in the production of goods), dangerous temperature increase and severe natural disasters. Although this perception is not recent, the global initiative to control the different mechanisms that trigger the commitment of biodiversity and irreversible climate changes arising from pollution is still very incipient, given that global initiatives on the subject emerged just over 50 years ago. Brazil is a territory that centralizes many of these discussions, as it still faces both political and economic obstacles in achieving a sustainable growth model as it was agreed through the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Even though there is little time left for the completion of these goals, much remains to be done, and despite the fulfillment of this deadline, the works will certainly need to be extended for much longer until an effective reorientation of consciousness occurs. Scientific researches and discussions are fundamental tools to the understanding of issues still little explored in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Rafael de Moura
- LEFT - Laboratório de Ensaios Farmacológicos e Toxicológicos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália, Km 8, Campus Carreiros, Rio Grande, RS, CEP 96203-900, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rua Visconde de Paranaguá, 102, Rio Grande, RS, CEP 96203-900, Brazil
| | - Flavio Manoel Rodrigues da Silva Júnior
- LEFT - Laboratório de Ensaios Farmacológicos e Toxicológicos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália, Km 8, Campus Carreiros, Rio Grande, RS, CEP 96203-900, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rua Visconde de Paranaguá, 102, Rio Grande, RS, CEP 96203-900, Brazil.
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Petrescu-Mag RM, Burny P, Banatean-Dunea I, Petrescu DC. How Climate Change Science Is Reflected in People's Minds. A Cross-Country Study on People's Perceptions of Climate Change. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:4280. [PMID: 35409962 PMCID: PMC8998260 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The way people perceive climate change scientific evidence becomes relevant in motivating or demotivating their climate actions. Climate change is one of the most publicized topics globally, and media has become an important "validator" of science. Therefore, science has become more exposed to criticism. Even when most scientists, decision makers, and laypeople agree on the robust evidence of climate science, there is still room for disagreement. The main aim of this paper is to reveal how climate change knowledge generated by science is perceived by the laypeople and to observe a possible gap between them. The study answered two questions "What are the main contrasting climate change topics in the scientific literature?" and "What are Romanian and Belgian participants' perceptions of these topics?". A qualitative approach was chosen for data analysis, using Quirkos software. The present cross-country study showed commonalities and differences of views between the two groups of participants regarding six climate change topics. Divergent perceptions among Belgians and Romanians came out, for example, within the theme "The heroes, villains, and victims of climate change." Thus, whereas Belgians considered all people, including themselves, responsible for climate change, Romanians blamed mostly others, such as big companies, governments, and consumers. Additionally, both groups stated that climate change existed, but contrary to Belgians, Romanians voiced that climate change was often used as an exaggerated and politicized topic. The analysis revealed that perceptions about climate change, its causes, and its impacts are social constructs with a high degree of variability between and within the two national groups. The study argued that the cleavages between scientific literature and people's views were blind spots on which a participatory approach was needed to better cope with climate change challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruxandra Malina Petrescu-Mag
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babeș-Bolyai University, 30 Fantanele Street, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Economy and Rural Development, Faculty of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium;
- Research Institute for Sustainability and Disaster Management Based on High Performance Computing (ISUMADECIP), Babes-Bolyai University, 30 Fantanele Street, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Philippe Burny
- Department of Economy and Rural Development, Faculty of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium;
| | - Ioan Banatean-Dunea
- Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania”, 119 Calea Aradului Street, 300645 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Dacinia Crina Petrescu
- Department of Economy and Rural Development, Faculty of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium;
- Research Institute for Sustainability and Disaster Management Based on High Performance Computing (ISUMADECIP), Babes-Bolyai University, 30 Fantanele Street, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Hospitality Services, Faculty of Business, Babeș-Bolyai University, 7 Horea Street, 400174 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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