Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Yanhui Jia, Jie Tian, Haiyue Liu
Summary: Research suggests that increased attention to green technological innovation may reduce individuals' perception of climate change risk and decrease pro-environmental behaviors. This study proposes a psychological intervention and identifies mental construal level and message framing strategy as crucial factors in changing students' responses to new green technologies.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Sebastian Berger, Annika M. Wyss
Summary: The Carbon Emission Task (CET) is a new behavioral paradigm grounded in experimental economics, assessing consequential pro-environmental behavior. Studies show that participants react systematically to the incentives set out in the task, with average pro-environmental behavior correlating with related constructs such as environmental attitudes and demographic factors. The CET offers a fast and efficient tool to assess actual and consequential pro-environmental behavior, appealing to various social scientific disciplines.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Henriette Rau, Susanne Nicolai, Susanne Stoll-Kleemann
Summary: Individuals and households play a crucial role in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Behavior change interventions are necessary to promote pro-environmental behavior in individuals. This review assesses the effectiveness of these interventions and analyzes the content of highly successful interventions. Six evidence-based recommendations are provided to enhance pro-environmental behavior.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Emily C. Taylor, Lucy A. Livingston, Mitchell J. Callan, Paul H. P. Hanel, Punit Shah
Summary: Studies have shown that autistic traits are negatively associated with engagement in pro-environmental behaviors, and not predictive of attitudes towards environmentalism or belief in climate change. This suggests that autism and mental health conditions may present barriers to taking pro-environmental action. Suggestions for understanding the psychological factors underlying climate action and a more inclusive environmental agenda are discussed.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Amanda R. Carrico
Summary: This article discusses the adoption of pro-environmental behavior and factors associated with it, as well as methodological limitations that should be addressed in future work. Research findings indicate that individual behavior has a significant impact on total emissions and lifestyle characteristics play a role in individual carbon footprints. However, behavior change is difficult, and individualizing climate action may have counterproductive effects. Interventions promoting pro-environmental behavior have generally produced small effects, but some promising approaches have emerged. Strategies that modify social, informational, and structural conditions have a greater impact.
CURRENT CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sakari Tolppanen, Jingoo Kang
Summary: Values are a key determinant of pro-environmental behavior, with biospheric values being a strong driver of low-carbon lifestyles whether as primary or secondary values. The study identified three different types of value-pairs, each associated with different carbon footprints and willingness to engage in pro-environmental actions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chang (Cherise) Li, Elizabeth Agyeiwaah, Yuchen Zhao
Summary: This paper argues that a deeper understanding of different segments of tourists with different environmental and psychological dispositions is needed when developing practical interventions of responsible behavior. Using surveys, interviews, and socio-psychological theories, the study identified three segments of Chinese tourists with varying levels of eco-paralysis, environmental concern, and pro-environmental behaviors. The findings suggest that the eco-paralysis of Chinese tourists is primarily manifested at the cognitive-emotional level, but they can still engage in small actions to overcome helplessness and contribute to environmental protection.
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Joana Soares, Isabel Miguel, Catia Venancio, Isabel Lopes, Miguel Oliveira
Summary: Plastic pollution is a global environmental issue caused by human industrial and domestic activities, and understanding public perceptions about it can help engage society in solutions. Research in Portugal showed that participants were aware of the degradation of plastics in the environment and perceived bio-ecological impacts as a greater threat than socioeconomic impacts. Socio-demographic variables and knowledge about plastic pollution impacts were found to predict pro-environmental behaviors. Awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution was highly associated with pro-environmental behavior, providing insights on how to enhance such behaviors and reduce the presence of micro(nano)plastics in the environment.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Noah Linder, Matteo Giusti, Karl Samuelsson, Stephan Barthel
Summary: This article argues for the importance of pro-environmental habits in sustainability research and highlights the potential of habit theory in driving pro-environmental behaviors. It emphasizes the impact of habits on automatic processes of behavior, how the environmental context shapes habits, and how habits influence our values and self-identity. Studying sustainable behaviors through a habit lens can lead to a more comprehensive understanding and complement current approaches that focus on reasoned decisions and intrinsic motivations.
Article
Urban Studies
Kevin T. Smiley, Yu-An Chen, Wanyun Shao
Summary: This study investigates the predictors of pro-environmental behaviors by comparing socio-demographic characteristics with attitudinal and belief profiles among Copenhagen residents. The findings suggest that attitudes and beliefs are stronger predictors of pro-environmental behaviors compared to socio-demographic characteristics.
Article
Environmental Studies
Amjad Ali, Luca Esposito, Andrea Gatto
Summary: This study analyzes the relationship between public behavior and energy transition in three Italian macro-regions, finding that perception and attitude are key determinants of public behavior towards energy transition and renewable energy use. The study also reveals regional disparities in consumer behavior, perception, and awareness. To promote renewable energy, initiatives such as awareness campaigns, incentives schemes, and green educational activities are necessary.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ru Guo, Yunyang Li, Li Shang, Cuiyang Feng, Xin Wang
Summary: Agriculture is heavily impacted by climate change, particularly in developing countries where farmers are both key players in adaptation and highly vulnerable. This study used a binary logistic regression model to examine local farmers' perceptions and behaviors towards climate change, finding that factors such as agricultural training, perceived temperature change, and education level significantly influence adaptive behavior. Key measures to enhance local climate adaptation include tailored training programs and improvement of scientific research.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Agne Skeiryte, Ricardas Krikstolaitis, Genovaite Liobikiene
Summary: This paper analyzes the difference in climate change perception, responsibility, and climate-friendly behavior among different generations in the EU. The results show that younger generations have a higher awareness of climate change and place more responsibility on business/industrial sectors and environmental groups. However, they perform better in taking personal responsibility, using environmentally friendly alternatives, and considering carbon footprint, but less in waste separation and reducing the use of disposable items.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nuryazmin Ahmat Zainuri, Norshariani Abd-Rahman, Lilia Halim, Mee Yeang Chan, Nisa Nadirah Mohd Bazari
Summary: This study found that respondents with low socioeconomic background had difficulties in associating themselves with biospheric values, but demonstrated high concern for altruistic values, especially related to future generations. Additionally, they were unwilling to give up comfort easily, such as self-driving and using public transportation. Adults with low socioeconomic background also found it difficult to endorse actions such as participating in environmental campaigns.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Kutlu Kagan Turkarslan, Ekin Doga Kozak, Juelide Ceren Yildirim
Summary: The present study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS-13), a valid and reliable measure of eco-anxiety. The study found that the HEAS-13 had good concurrent validity and could effectively assess anxiety about ecological problems. The results suggested that interventions targeting anxiety symptoms, behavioral symptoms, and individuals' activist identity and commitment could help increase pro-environmental behaviors.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hallie Eakin, Nadine Methner, Gina Ziervogel
Summary: There is a growing need to involve private actors in public adaptation in urban systems. Urban administrators have limited control over urban dynamics, and the actions of private actors have a significant influence. A conceptual framework combining cognitive and behavioral theory, institutional analysis, adaptive capacity, and research on urban adaptation governance is used to understand the potential for private provisioning. The case of Cape Town's response to drought illustrates the complex interactions that shape private actors' willingness to engage in public-oriented adaptation.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS
(2024)