Taking Action Doesn’t Take Much!

The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication released a report on the gap between attitudes and beliefs and taking action. Very sobering how lost people seem to be. Not you, you are here reading this. So you can help others! “Taking action” in this report refers to the kind of thing many of us who look at this website are likely already doing. It is in line with our last news post and the Taking Action section on this website.  It isn’t about grand gestures and sacrifice. You don’t have to go to jail, unless you feel you have to. Talking to friends. Signing petitions. Contacting elected officials. If you have money, donating to environmental groups. Sure, volunteering if you have the time and energy. It is surprising how few of the people in their surveys who were concerned about climate change do this.

Yes, talking to a friend in a relaxed non-threatening manner (no fear and loathing or doom talk is usually best) over coffee, sharing this website and other websites, is enough to make you a full on bona fide climate and environmental activist. Voting clinches the deal. Why not sign an online petition that many environmental groups are happy to share, or better, contact your elected officials.

Here are Yale group’s suggestions based on their findings:

“For political actions such as contacting government officials, we have found that the most frequent barrier for registered voters is that no one has ever asked them to do it. In addition, many say that it wouldn’t make any difference, they are not activists, they don’t know who to contact, or they wouldn’t know what to say. Based on previous research and the results here, below are some ways to address these barriers and encourage climate action:

·       “Ask people directly to get involved. Interpersonal communication can have a powerful influence on people’s beliefs and behavior. People can be asked directly through digital means or face-to-face (e.g., by community members, opinion leaders), which may be especially effective at promoting change. For instance, research has found that face-to-face discussions (e.g., deep canvassing) about political issues leads to enduring changes in attitudes and behavior. 

·       “Make it easy and show people how to do it. Many people say they don’t have the time or information about how to act. Providing convenient opportunities that are quick to perform and include easy-to-follow steps (e.g., flow charts, infographics) can reduce time and knowledge barriers to engagement. 

·       “Provide options and describe their benefits. There are many ways that people can reduce climate change. Providing a short menu of options can help people choose the actions that best suit them and may also help to reduce the barrier of feeling like “I am not an activist.” Additionally, showcasing the benefits of action can encourage people to choose behaviors that align with their personal values and interests (i.e., what they care most about).

·       “Strengthen perceptions of collective efficacy. The belief that people can collectively make a difference on climate change is a key motivator of climate action. To address the perceived barrier that “it wouldn’t make any difference,” communicators can remind people that every individual action matters. For instance, by highlighting success stories and the positive effects of taking action, individuals may feel more confident and inspired to act themselves.

·       “Encourage talking about climate change and provide guidance. Discussing climate change with others is a significant climate action that everyone can engage in. Also, research shows that increased discussions about climate change can strengthen acceptance of climate science. Researchers have proposed that “talking about climate change amplifies and normalizes it within networks, making people more likely to act.” Providing guidance on how to talk about climate change and encouraging discussions may support more public engagement. 

·      “Amplify pro-climate social norms and diverse public voices. Social norms can powerfully shape people’s behavior and social intervention strategies are among the most effective ways to promote pro-climate behavior. Communicating social norms may also reduce identity-related barriers to action and show people there are others like them getting involved. For instance, showcasing diversity within the climate movement can change people’s perceptions of what a typical “environmentalist” looks like. Highlighting a variety of role models and communicating the norm that many people from diverse backgrounds are actively participating and advocating for climate action may motivate more individuals to get involved.”