Being Green Doesn't Mean Sacrificing Fun... or Cutting Out Meat
Jan 8, 2024
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Join Liz Dunn, a behavioral scientist specializing in the intersection of climate change and well-being, as she reframes our approach to sustainability. She explores how positive emotions can lead to meaningful environmental actions, showing that being eco-friendly doesn't mean sacrificing fun. Discover simple strategies for mindful eating and travel that enhance joy while reducing our carbon footprint. Plus, learn how small lifestyle changes can foster community engagement and redefine our relationship with the planet.
Positive emotions and pleasure are effective motivators for sustainable actions, focusing on enjoyment rather than sacrifice.
Simple changes in behavior, such as reorganizing the fridge, can reduce personal food waste and positively impact the environment.
Deep dives
Rethinking Climate Change: The Happy Climate Approach
Psychologist Liz Dunn and behavior scientist Jay-Z propose a happy climate approach to tackle climate change. They emphasize that scolding and shaming individuals for their unsustainable behaviors is not effective. Instead, they suggest focusing on positive emotions and pleasure as motivators for sustainable actions. They identify three main areas for change: diet, transport, and shopping. In terms of diet, they advocate for reducing meat consumption, particularly beef, while still being able to enjoy occasional high-carbon meals. They also promote mindful shopping and thrift shopping to decrease the negative impact of fast fashion. Additionally, they highlight the benefits of carpooling and building social connections through shared transportation. The key is to make sustainable actions enjoyable and to celebrate progress rather than striving for perfection. By adopting this happy climate approach, individuals can make a positive impact on the planet and increase their own happiness.
Feng Shuiing the Fridge: A Simple Climate Hack
Psychologist Liz Dunn introduces the concept of 'feng shuiing the fridge' as a way to reduce food waste. By placing perishable items at the front of the fridge and condiments in the drawers, people are more likely to notice and consume fresh produce before it spoils. This simple change not only reduces personal food waste, but also contributes positively to the environment. Jay-Z, a behaviour scientist, explains that changing the layout of the fridge can increase awareness of the food we have and decrease the chances of forgetting or neglecting items. Moreover, this action aligns with the principle of savoring, which enhances the appreciation of food and ultimately leads to more enjoyment and less waste.
Carpooling: Combining Happiness and Carbon Reduction
Carpooling is presented as a happy climate hack that benefits both the environment and individual happiness. Psychologist Liz Dunn suggests building social connections and increasing happiness by carpooling with people you enjoy spending time with. She highlights the importance of coordination and planning to overcome barriers and make carpooling a regular practice. By carpooling just two other people, the carbon footprint can be significantly reduced, making it a valuable action. Emphasizing the positive social aspects of carpooling encourages more people to participate and helps create a positive ripple effect.
Changing Perspectives on Climate Change and Personal Actions
Psychologist Liz Dunn and behavior scientist Jay-Z challenge the misconception that individual actions have little impact on climate change. They stress how behavior is contagious and that individuals can inspire others through their own actions. The focus is on making sustainable choices without perfectionism, celebrating progress, and showing compassion to oneself when setbacks occur. The approach highlights the potential for personal happiness and contentment that comes from aligning individual actions with climate goals. By reframing climate change as an opportunity for positive change and promoting happiness-driven actions, individuals can make a meaningful difference for both the planet and their own well-being.
We often think of fighting climate change as a drain on our happiness - it'll mean sacrificing the things we love, like air travel or eating hamburgers. But researchers Jiaying Zhao and Liz Dunn have pioneered the idea of "Happy Climate" that shows us ways in which doing good for the planet can make us feel great.
Changing how we fly, drive, shop and eat in very small ways can make us enjoy our travel, our friends, our wardrobes and, yes, even our steaks, more than ever before.
