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Psychological research and global climate change

Nature Climate Change volume 5, pages 640–646 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

Human behaviour is integral not only to causing global climate change but also to responding and adapting to it. Here, we argue that psychological research should inform efforts to address climate change, to avoid misunderstandings about human behaviour and motivations that can lead to ineffective or misguided policies. We review three key research areas: describing human perceptions of climate change; understanding and changing individual and household behaviour that drives climate change; and examining the human impacts of climate change and adaptation responses. Although much has been learned in these areas, we suggest important directions for further research.

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Figure 1: A schematic model of the role of psychological processes in climate change.
Figure 2: A simplified model of the way people perceive climate change.
Figure 3: Influences on climate-relevant behaviour.
Figure 4: Mechanisms of climate change impact on human well-being.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank J. Taylor of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa and C. Werner of the University of Utah for their contributions to the workshop from which this paper developed. We also acknowledge the support of the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (NSF award DBI-1052875).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, College of Wooster, 930 College Mall, Wooster, 44691, Ohio, USA

    Susan Clayton

  2. Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Rennes Drive, EX4 4RJ, Exeter, UK

    Patrick Devine-Wright

  3. National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, 500 Fifth Street NW, K-1127, 20001, Washington DC, USA

    Paul C. Stern

  4. School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, CF10 3AT, Cardiff, UK

    Lorraine Whitmarsh

  5. Environmental Studies Program, University of Colorado, 1201 17th Street, 397 UCB, Boulder, 80309, Colorado, USA

    Amanda Carrico

  6. Department of Social Psychology,University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS, Groningen, the Netherlands

    Linda Steg

  7. Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802-3106, Pennsylvania, USA

    Janet Swim

  8. Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy

    Mirilia Bonnes

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Correspondence to Susan Clayton.

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Clayton, S., Devine-Wright, P., Stern, P. et al. Psychological research and global climate change. Nature Clim Change 5, 640–646 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2622

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