Environmental Psychology - Dr Sarah Becker & Dr Caroline Verfuerth

Question 1

(background):

CO2 levels, sea levels and global temperature is rising.

Answer 1

keep going, once you learn it you don’t have to relearn it. So just LEARN IT NOW and then its in your head and you don’t have to struggle further You got this, just one little hurdle and then its fine.

Question 2

(background):

In BEIS Public Attitudes Tracker, March 2019 (Wave 29), they did a survey.

One of the questions was:
Q21. How concerned, if at all, are you about climate change, sometimes referred to as ‘global warming’?

What were the results?

Answer 2

(background):

see slide 10

Question 3

(background):

How do views of climate change vary internationally?

Answer 3

(background):

In most surveyed countries, majorities see climate change as a major threat

Source: Pew Research Center, Spring 2018 global attitudes survey

(see slide 11 for graph)

Question 4

(background):

What is an issue with some climate change warnings in the media?

Answer 4

(background):

DISTANCE

Some photos are of polar bears and ice melting.

Climate change suggested to be perceived as distant in time and location (Weber, 2006)

• Direct experience of climate change events often more powerful than other accounts in informing views and actions (Capstick et al., 2015; Spence, 2011)
• Although interpretation of events also influenced by previous beliefs (Howe & Leiserowitz, 2013)

→ Emphasise closeness and personal relevance

Question 5

(background):

Why do some people reject the thought of protecting climate change?

Answer 5

(background):

see slide 14

Question 6

(background):

What is the role of public perceptions and communication of climate change?

Answer 6

(background):

• Basis for implementing policies / technologies
• Support or opposition for action and policies
• Adoption of (sustainable) technologies
• Better and fairer decisions
• Early engagement with the public is important – before views become entrenched and to address concerns

Question 7

(background):

Describe the impact that our life choices have on climate change.

Answer 7

(background):

see slide 18 + 19

Question 8

(background):

What food has the biggest carbon footprint?

Answer 8

(background):

Beef

(read slide 20)

Question 9

(background):

Describe the psychology behind why changing diet can be difficult.

Answer 9

(background):

see slide 21 + 22

Question 10

(background):

How can psychology help climate change?

Answer 10

(background):

Psychology can contribute to better…
→understand factors that influence lifestyle choices
→ predict policy support/ opposition &
→ influence lifestyle choices & influence low-carbon policy approaches

(see slide 24 + 25)