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How well people exercise their agency will determine the severity of global heating – and Its consequences. The evidence is clear. People are making a huge impact on the climate. Climate change can also be affected by human actions For the betterReduce fossil fuel burning and carbon emission. It’s not too late to avert the worst effects of the climate crisis, but time Is running out.
Despite the abundance of technical agency, humanity is not Alarmingly short of psychological agency: belief in one’s personal ability to help. A Study of 10 countriesThe Lancet, a British medical journal found that more than half (50%) of 16-25-year-olds feel fearful, sad, anxious and angry about climate change.
We bring our unique perspectives as professors to the challenges of climate change action. Tom BatemanLeadership and psychology are two of the most popular subjects in psychology. Michael Mann is a climate scientist and author of the recent book “The New Climate War.”
Believing ‘I can do this’
Human activities – particularly relying on coal, oil and natural gas for energy – have The climate has been dramatically affectedIt can have dire consequences.
As greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion accumulate in the atmosphere, they heat the planet. Global temperatures are rising, which has led to an increase inWorsening heat waves, rising sea level and more severe storms make it harder to adapt. A new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change outlines some of these dangerous disruptions and how they are being addressed. Putting people and the environment firstAt risk
Humans can choose to drive gas-guzzlers or to influence the climate, air quality, and public health in the same way that they can choose to change the weather, air quality, and public health. It is possible to act through scientific knowledge and many avenues of action.
A key part of agency is one’s belief, when faced with a task to perform, a situation to manage, or a long-term goal like protecting the climate, that “I can do this”. It’s known as self-efficacy.
This psychological factor may be the most important in predicting how people will handle both climate change (and Covid-19), according to recent online research. SurveyAccording to data from Europe, People who feel that they have sufficient agency are More likely to persevereRecover from setbacks and perform at top levels
A high sense of optimism is associated with climate change. self-efficacy strengthens a person’s willingnessTo reduce carbon emissions (mitigation), and to prepare for climate-related catastrophes (adaptation). Studies For actions that includeDonating, volunteering, contacting elected officials, conserving energy, conserving precious water during extreme weather conditions, More.
How to increase your sense of agency
Focus on the facts to build agency for something as daunting as climate change. In the case climate change, greenhouse gas emissions cause the greatest harm and people can do far more to help than they realize.
Four psychological factors are essential for a successful agency. Each of these can be strengthened by practice.
1) Intentionality: “I choose my climate goals and actions for high impact.”
Deciding to act with purpose—knowing what you intend to do–is far more effective than thinking “My heart’s in the right place, I just have to find the time.”
In the big picture, one’s highest climate efficacy is in participating in larger efforts to stop fossil fuel use. Individuals can set ambitious goals to reduce their energy consumption and join other people in collective action.
2) Forethought: “I am looking ahead and thinking strategically about how to proceed.”
You can achieve your goals by knowing what you want. Think strategicallyCreate an action plan. Some plans are simple and can be used to make lifestyle changes such as changing travel and consumption habits. Wider reaching actions can help change systems – such as long-term activities that advocate for climate-friendly policies and politicians, or against policies that are harmful. These include voter campaigns and demonstrations.
3) Self-regulation: “I can manage myself over time to optimise my efforts and effectiveness.”
Worrying about the future is becoming a lifelong task—off and on for some, constant for others. Climate change will lead to disasters and scarcities that disrupt lives and careers, increase stress, and cause public health problems. Stress relief can be found in seeing the positive and working with others.
4) Self-reflection: “ I will periodically assess my effectiveness, rethink strategies and tactics, and make necessary adjustments.”
It’s difficult to imagine a greater need for lifelong learning than as we navigate decades of climate change, its many harms and efforts by fossil fuel companies to obscure the facts. Reflection – or, more precisely, keeping up with the latest science, learning and adapting – is vital as the future keeps presenting new challenges.
Personal agency is just the beginning
Even minor details can be significant First stepsIndividual actions can reduce carbon emissions and lead us to greater action. However, individual actions are only one part of the solution. Big polluters often encourage consumers to take small individual actions. Refrain from paying attentionHence the need to make large-scale policy decisions.
Individual agencies should be viewed as a gateway to group efforts that can quickly and effectively change the trajectory for climate change.
“Collective agency” is another form of agency. A critical mass of people can help create societal [tipping points]This pressure on policymakers and industry to act more quickly, safely, and equitably in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Helping to elect local, state and national officials who support protecting the climate, and influencing investors and leaders of corporations and associations, can also create a sense of agency, known as “proxy agency”.
Together, these efforts can rapidly improve humanity’s capacity to solve problems and head off disasters. Fixing the world’s climate mess requires both urgency and a sense of agency to create the best possible future. DM/ML
This story was published for the first time inThe Conversation
Thomas S Bateman is Professor Emeritus of Organizational Psychology at the University of Virginia. Penn State’s Earth System Science Center is directed by Michael E Mann.
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