5
OPINION

Wednesday, July 3, 2019
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com OPINION

ANNE ELSE | COLUMN

I

n our current political cli-
mate, environmental issues 
typically fall along party 
lines. 
Stereotypically, 
liberals 
tend to adhere to environmen-
tally friendly policies and climate 
change awareness, while con-
servatives do not embrace these 
issues in their platforms. While 
the politics of sustainability is 
definitely affecting the way peo-
ple view climate change and per-
sonal habits, there is also a basis 
of psychological factors that can 
determine a person’s view and 
use of these methods and poli-
cies. 
I recently watched an episode 
of the critically acclaimed HBO 
show “Big Little Lies,” which 
was heavily centered around the 
theme of environmental con-
sciousness. It depicted a young 
girl in second grade who suffered 
from a panic attack that stemmed 
from fear of climate change. She 
was extremely worried that the 
world would end after she was 
taught about startling environ-
mental facts from her teacher. 
Her reaction to climate change 
was full of anxiety and fear, 
which could make it difficult for 
viewers to understand that real 
change is possible.
This portrayal of the effects 
of climate change on the mind 
made me think about how our 
psychological state might affect 
how passionate we are about 
making changes. Even more, the 
way we are taught about these 
truths can affect our view of the 
world. If we are simply given 
staggering facts about the dying 
planet without any suggestions 
for how to make it better, our 
view of the world could become 
hopeless and scary.
If we can look at the hor-
rors that happen in the world 
through a mindset of hopeful-
ness and willingness to change, 
then maybe it would be easier for 
everyone, no matter their politi-
cal affiliation, to combat these 
issues together. Viewing climate 
change with extreme denial or 
fear will clearly affect one’s desire 
to help in healing our Earth.
New research has delved into 
the basis of the psychology of sus-
tainability. As we know, human 
behavior is what has affected the 
planet in the first place. There-
fore, psychologists purporting 
changes in human behavior and 
psyche are what will drive moti-
vation and participation in sus-

tainable practices and advocacy. 
A research project from Min-
nesota Pollution Control Agency 
presents helpful plans for sus-
tainability based on psychologi-
cal changes. They explain that a 
key way to increase sustainable 
behavior is to make it a “social 
default.” Humans tend to look to 
others for social cues and infor-
mation. Thus, if leading an eco-
conscious lifestyle by reducing 
carbon footprints and spreading 
eco-friendly 
information 
was 
the norm, sustainability would 
increase 
dramatically, 
which 
can be done by getting to know 
neighbors’ habits and views on 
the environment. This will help 
make positive and inclusive con-
versations about environmental 
change more common. 
So 
how 
can 
we 
imple-
ment these positive ideals into 
upcoming 
generations? 
Jour-
nalist Barbara Malt says uni-
versities should include more 
environmental psychology class-
es to educate students on the 
impact of human behavior. This 
type of hybrid class would allow 
students to find relatable course-
work and information on how 
we can change our psychological 
outlook on our planet. She con-
cisely explains why this subject 
intersection is necessary, stating, 
“Because human behavior is at 
the root of these environmental 
problems, science and technology 
alone cannot create the solutions 
we need ... To create solutions, 
there must be a belief in the need 
for change, the will to make and 
sustain change, and effective 
means of creating change.”
This type of environmental 
teaching will give young adults 
a sense of understanding and 
confidence in how to make sig-
nificant and positive impacts on 
the future of our ecosystems.; 
it should extend to all years of 
schooling and be taught in a posi-
tive and action-oriented light. (If 
you’re interested in this topic, 
University of Michigan is offering 
a psychology and environment 
cross-listed course this fall titled 
Behavior and Environment).
Thankfully, the field of envi-
ronmental psychology is grow-
ing. Their specialized research 
focuses on human reaction to 
different environmental issues 
and phenomena. The American 
Psychological Association lists a 
few ways that these psychologists 
are applying their knowledge 

to the real world. They “con-
duct research on messages that 
motivate people to change their 
behavior, spread the word about 
environmental solutions, uncov-
er why people may not adopt pos-
itive behaviors, encourage people 
to rethink their positions in the 
natural world, and help clients to 
live more sustainable lives.” 
Some people might not want 
to buy into the advantages of liv-
ing a sustainable life and choose 
to ignore environmental politics 
and action. This viewpoint can 
also be explained through psy-
chological terms that Steve Tay-
lor, psychologist and professor at 
Leeds Beckett University in the 
U.K., suggests. The psychologi-
cal explanation of why people are 
able to continually ignore detri-
mental environmental changes 
and not feel bothered to change is 
because of the presence of “ego-
separateness.” 
This 
includes 
an overly intensified sense of 
independence and individuality, 
which allows some people to feel 
disparate from nature and wild-
life.
The results of this individu-
alistic mindset are people do 
not feel responsible for their 
planet or the vast lands cover-
ing it. There is a lack of “duty to 
preserve (nature’s) harmony.” 
This psychological understand-
ing of people who do not support 
eco-friendly endeavors makes 
sense to me when I examine the 
extremely individualistic tenden-
cies of Western countries. Amer-
ica, in particular, stereotypically 
values individual achievements 
and the ability to be independent-
ly successful as our most impor-
tant characteristics. This could 
very well be fueling the uniquely 
American ability to consistently 
ignore environmental issues. 
Take 
a 
few 
environment 
courses to solidify your knowl-
edge in the subject, talk to your 
housemates or neighbors on their 
views and habits, allow for envi-
ronmental love to be normal and 
appreciated. Understanding our 
own psychological barriers will 
help us attain sustainable mind-
sets that will assist our futures 
and our homes. For the future of 
our families, friends and foes, we 
must get past our individualistic 
cultural values and find ways to 
help environmental causes.

Environemental action starts in the mind

Anne Else can be reached at 

aelse@umich.edu.

EMILY CONSIDINE | CONTACT CARTOONIST AT EMCONSID@UMICH.EDU

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