Environmental psychology is joining the fight against climate change

Climate change is one of the major threats facing humanity. Urgent actions are needed to halt the increase in global warming. Environmental psychologists aim to understand the interactions between humans and the environment, as well as the psychological dimensions of climate change, and climate change policies.

^{Text: Henrietta Doe, Communication Office, University of Groningen}

Up until now, psychology was mostly left out of the fight against climate change, and interest in the field is increasing rapidly. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has called on environmental psychologists to engage in their assessments to address climate change and facilitate behavioural change. Behavioural changes are needed to mitigate and adapt to environmental challenges, as climate change is caused by human actions, and because governments cannot fully protect populations against climate risks, says Linda Steg, one of the leading researchers in this field and a professor at the University of Groningen’s Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences.

As a lead author of an IPCC report on the impact of global warming and a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Steg’s research is vital to understanding, addressing and influencing our responses to climate change. Her research demonstrates how specific environmental psychology concepts and theories can contribute to the effects and acceptability of strategies aimed at promoting sustainable behaviour for the effective mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, and acceptability of technology and system changes.

Steg is currently researching what motivates people to engage in climate-friendly actions and whether people are willing to change their behaviour and lifestyle in line with sustainable energy transitions. Understanding people’s motivations to act on climate change provides critical insights in which factors could best be targeted to promote climate actions among different groups. Her research shows that when people ‘feel’ that they are being treated equally and fair procedures have been followed, they are generally more open to substantial policy changes, avoiding a backlash such as France’s Yellow Jerseys.

The social acceptability of policies is critical as system changes will be needed to bring about sustainability. Many people realize that acting pro-environmental will not merely make their lives miserable but can rather enhance their well-being and health, says Steg. Understanding people’s psychological responses to climate change is a key step in the transition to a sustainable society. For this transition, interdisciplinary scientific efforts to facilitate behavioural change are crucial.

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Linda Steg