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Why do we find it so hard to take action on climate change?

Why do we find it so hard to take action on climate change?

For decades scientists have warned us about the risks of climate change. Yet humans are badly psychologically designed to face up to the challenge of changing our behaviour. Research shows that constant threats of impending doom make us hit the snooze button rather than waking us up. And our evolutionary shortcomings mean we respond to the threat of immediate danger rather than what might happen in the future.
So what can actually work to help us change our status quo?
Presenters Kate Lamble and Neal Razzell are joined by:
George Marshall, Founder of Climate Outreach and author of Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change
Elke Weber, Professor of Psychology at Princeton University
Per Espen Stoknes, Psychologist, Economist and author of What We Think About When We Try Not To Think About Global Warming.

Producer: Sophie Eastaugh
Reporter: Frank Walter
Researcher: Natasha Fernandes
Series Producer: Alex Lewis
Editor: Emma Rippon
Sound Engineer: Graham Puddifoot

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Mon 20 Dec 2021 21:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 20 Dec 2021 04:06GMT
  • Mon 20 Dec 2021 09:06GMT
  • Mon 20 Dec 2021 13:32GMT
  • Mon 20 Dec 2021 20:06GMT
  • Mon 20 Dec 2021 21:06GMT

Podcast