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Lecture notes: PS1810: The Psychology of Climate Change
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Semester 1 PS1810 notes. Written in 2020/21
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PS1810 – WEEK 7 – The psychology of climate changeWhat is climate change?
Global warming = increase in earth’s temperature causing climate patterns to change
Climate change = major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns during
several decades or longer
Cause? Fossil fuels combustion for humans’ everyday life and natural causes
How can psychology help?
Examine how people think and feal about climate change
Understand what motivates or inhibits environmentally-friendly behaviour
Analyse patterns of decision-making
Provide directions for effective communication
Facilitate a shift in social norms
Why is climate a controversial topic?
Global warming and climate change are controversial topics (in the US more than abortion,
gun control, death penalty and GM crops)
Human responsibility in global warming and climate change is controversial
Do we believe in climate change? US research
1 in 4 Americans is sceptical about climate change
50% US population believe that climate change is cause by humans
57% US population is worries about climate change
US: Climate change was the second least important issue out of 22 options (2011)
Only 26% US population rated climate change as a top priority (the lowest since 2007)
Do we believe in climate change? Worldwide research
26-nation survey:
Question: what is the top international threat?
Options: Climate change, ISIS, cyberattacks, North Korea’s nuclear program, global economy,
US power & influence, Russia’s power & influence, China’s power and influence
Findings: Climate change (13), ISIS (8), cyberattacks (4), Russia’s power (1)
Since 2013 worries about climate change have significantly increased in 13 of the countries
Do we believe in climate change?
97% climate change scientists support that climate change is a reality
Why do people not believe in climate change?
But… isn’t it science? Does the term “believe” apply?
The climate change paradox
97% of climate scientists support the existence of climate change and we have the
technology to fix it but many of us do not take action and/or deny it
Why?
Difficulty of understanding the relationship between greenhouse gasses and climate change
Climate change is psychologically distant to us:
1. Abstract consequences
2. Temporal: long term consequences
3. Spatial: far away consequences
4. Social: dissimilar to us
5. Uncertainty: unlikely to happen?
The climate change message is not working…
What do scientists and governments do?
More facts and images
Why will more of the same change our behaviours?
For most people the climate change message is uncomfortable to live with
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