Chapter 11 ~Putting it Together~ Using psychology to build a sustainable world Amber Gilewski Tompkins Cortland Community College

The planet’s serious environmental problems are behavioral problems caused by: –The collective actions of human beings –And their underlying thoughts, feelings, and values The field of psychology is therefore critical for developing and implementing solutions Viewing climate change and other environmental challenges as psychological leads to insights and solutions not offered via technological or political frameworks

Six operating principles to help shift behavior toward sustainability: 1.Visualize healthy ecosystems 2.Work with small steps and big ideas 3.Think circle instead of line 4.Consider ways in which less is more 5.Practice conscious consumption 6.Act on personal and political levels, especially local community participation

Visualize an ecologically healthy world Sustaining life on the planet will require huge changes in the way human societies are organized and conducted A big part of the public’s problem in confronting issues of sustainable behaviors is green guilt and ecological overloadgreen guilt Theodore Roszak suggests a “Psychological Impact Statement” whenever discussing disturbing informationTheodore Roszak

Transition Towns –A global network of communities working towards sustainable visions –Provide citizens with tools and strategies With positive images of the future people can: –Direct more energy toward changing behaviors that enable accomplishments –Use less energy defending against negative feelings such as anxiety Hope is as crucial a psychological commodity for building a sustainable future, as it is for emotional intelligence

Work with big ideas and small steps Instead of distracting ourselves with small problems, we need to use small steps to work on big problems Using the big theories of psychology to help design a sustainable world Small wins –Facilitate feelings of success –Foster momentum and motivation for change GAMING TO SAVE THE WORLD? GAMING TO SAVE THE WORLD?

Think circle instead of line The Next Industrial Revolution –(William McDonough and Michael Braungart) Presents a cradle to cradle perspective on manufacturing goods

Figure 11.1 The triple bottom line (profit, planet, and people) must be maximized for sustainable business practice. (Adapted from Greeninnovation With permission.)

Less is more The less can be more rule is grounded in: –Physics – Less is more means enhanced efficiency –Ecology – Fewer emissions means greater efficiency and overall better health –Psychology – Less is more when it comes to what makes people happy Voluntary simplicity A social movement in Europe and the U.S. in which people choose to downscale their material possessions in order to live consciously and deliberately Sample Blog - One Cheap Vegan

Personal actions that can make the most impact toward sustainable society, fall into two categories: Transportation & Agriculture Act on personal and political levels, especially local community participation Environmental devastation is driven by behaviors at both personal and political levels While psychology focuses on individual behavior, political advocacy for the larger public good is also crucial