Join Robert Gifford, a professor of environmental psychology, alongside social psychologist Reuven Sussman and behavioral scientist Christine Kormos, as they tackle the 'Dragons of Discredence.' They delve into climate denial's subtle impacts on policy trust and the importance of effective communication strategies. The conversation highlights innovative approaches for promoting sustainable choices, emphasizing self-interest as a motivator in environmental action, and how aligning incentives can drive transformative change. Tune in for insights that mix psychology with real-world impact!
Discredence towards climate change communication stems from skepticism about the messenger, impacting public engagement in climate initiatives.
Policymakers must enhance both incentive programs and public awareness to foster greater participation in climate-friendly actions and initiatives.
Deep dives
Understanding Discredence
Discredence refers to the skepticism and mistrust people have towards messages about climate change, often stemming from distrust of the messenger, such as government officials or scientists. There are varying degrees of discredence, from outright denial of climate change to subtler forms of mistrust that invalidate information based on the source. For instance, people may dismiss factual climate warnings or initiatives simply because they come from an institution they perceive as untrustworthy. Recognizing and addressing these forms of discredence is crucial for effectively communicating climate issues and altering public perception.
Perceived Program Inadequacy
Perceived program inadequacy often prevents individuals from participating in initiatives that could mitigate climate change, stemming from the belief that existing incentives, such as rebates for electric cars, are insufficient. This perception can lead to a widespread reluctance to engage with climate-friendly programs, even when they may actually be beneficial. Addressing this issue requires policymakers to not only improve the incentive programs themselves but also enhance public awareness of their benefits and effectiveness. For example, communicating the value proposition clearly and connecting these programs to people's immediate interests can significantly increase participation.
Nudging Behavioral Change
Behavioral scientists stress the importance of identifying moments when individuals are open to change, such as during transitional life events, to effectively encourage new, sustainable choices. This concept, often referred to as the fresh start hypothesis or habit discontinuity theory, suggests that providing targeted information or incentives during these periods can lead to lasting behavioral shifts. Programs like Bike to Work Day, which create an opportunity for people to experiment with alternative modes of transportation, exemplify this approach. By equipping people with resources and support during these transitions, institutions can facilitate long-term changes in behavior that align with climate goals.
The Dragons of Discredence are agents of mistrust – the species of this genus are responsible for climate deniers, contrarians, and conspiracy theorists. But it’s not only the fringe that suffers from the dragons of discredence. They can act in subtle ways on all of us: casting doubt on well-intentioned policy, and dissuading us from aligning our self-interest with the interests of our environment. To tip the scales, we have to prove that there’s plenty of honey to go around.
Many of the Dragons of Inaction are insights for individuals – leading change from the bottom up. In this chapter, we discuss the other side of the equation: how governments and policy makers can design programs for climate change that people actually want.
To learn more about the Dragons of Climate Inaction (+ musical credits, citations, and more) visit futureecologies.net/dragons
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