The alarming rise in temperatures leading to intense heat waves highlights the urgent need to address climate change. However, general apathy persists due to several factors. The complexity and global nature of climate change can be overwhelming, particularly for populations in Asia. Short-term focus on immediate personal and economic challenges often overshadows long-term environmental concerns. Additionally, those not directly experiencing the effects of climate change tend to lack a sense of urgency or personal connection to the issue. Economic interests also play a significant role, as industries prioritize financial gains over environmental sustainability, influencing public perception and policy decisions.
Psychological distance
Psychological distance, actually means how close or far something feels to us psychologically or emotionally. When it comes to climate change, the concept of psychological distance highlights the issue that many people perceive it as a distant problem, not directly affecting them. This perception creates a sense of detachment and reduces the urgency to address the issue. It’s not one of our immediate concerns and this is the reason that makes it difficult for us to feel personally connected to issue or motivated to take any action. And do you know what creates this psychological distance?
Read More: Apathy and its Impact on Modern Life
The responsible factors for the general apathy towards climate change include its long-term nature, global scale, and the uncertainty surrounding its adverse effects. Climate change often takes a backseat in our priorities because its impacts seem distant in both time and space. This perception makes it easier for many to overlook and push it out of their minds in favour of more immediate concerns in their daily lives.
Educating people about psychological distance could be instrumental in mitigating the risks of climate change. By understanding and addressing this concept, efforts can be made to bridge the gap between the perceived distance of climate change and its actual urgency. Making it feel more immediate and relevant in people’s lives can encourage greater involvement and spur action towards effective solutions.
Cognitive dissonance
Cognitive dissonance is when you experience a conflict between your thoughts, beliefs or attitudes that brings a sense of discomfort or tension. For example: All of us know the harmful effects of our actions on the environment but we are not able to help it, rather continue doing things that lead to climate change. Some examples of how people reconcile their behaviours that are harmful to the environment.
- Justification: People often convince themselves by thinking that they are not the only ones responsible and that their impact on climate change is minimal as compared to other longer sources like factories.
- Selective attention: Focusing on positive environmental actions, such as recycling or using solar energy, while overlooking harmful behaviours, can create a false sense of contribution to environmental conservation.
- Social comparison: Comparing one’s actions favourably to others who are perceived as doing less for the environment can provide a sense of justification and reduce feelings of guilt or responsibility.
Optimism Bias
Optimism Bias is when you tend to believe that you won’t be experiencing negative events compared to others. This leads people to underestimate the personal risks and the possible effects of climate change on themselves.
- Confirmation bias: We tend to seek information that confirms our positive beliefs while overlooking those who are affirmative about the risks of climate change, leading them to underestimate the intensity and seriousness of the issues.
- Overestimation of coping abilities: We often overestimate our abilities to cope with the effects of climate change, thinking that we’ll be able to adapt to the possible changes without getting as affected by the risks and hazards.
- Spatial optimism: It’s when people believe that the region they are living in, is less likely to be affected in comparison to others.
These are some of the Example of how people underestimate the risks of climate change.
Encouraging Climate action
In order to improve people’s take on climate change, it’s really important to tap into psychological insights that will push people to take meaningful steps to address the climate issues. Following strategies might do the needful
- Social norms and influence: Celebrating and spreading the news of the positive contribution of others in the community would create a sense of social influence, setting a good example and role model. It will inspire more people to do pro-environmental activities.
- Empathy and connection: Incorporating a sense of empathy towards the actual victims of climate change who suffered serious damage give some sense of message, building connection and responsibility to be mindful of your daily actions.
- Positive framing: Making people understand the benefits and opportunities, a positive climate action may bring to their lives, can inspire hope and build drive for change.
Conclusion
With the help of these psychological insights, the motto is to educate people and make them responsible towards environment. Push them to indulge in pro-environmental behaviour. Induce a sense of belief that their tiny actions might create a big impact, so that they are mindful about taking positive actions and avoiding negative actions.
References +
- Steg, L. (2023, January 18). Psychology of climate change. Annual Review of Psychology. https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-psych-032720-042905
- Van Lange, P. A. M., Joireman, J., & Milinski, M. (2018, August). Climate change: What psychology can offer in terms of insights and solutions. Current directions in psychological science. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6099976/
- (PDF) how psychology can help limit climate change. (n.d.-j). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339146241_How_Psychology_Can_Help_Limit_Climate_Change
- (PDF) climate change: Psychological solutions and strategies for change. (n.d.-i). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270835783_Climate_Change_Psychological_Solutions_and_Strategies_for_Change
