"The severe winter storm hitting the United States this week, described as "once-in-a-lifetime," has prompted prominent figures to ask how global warming fits with this chilly weather event. Of course, scientists have long explained that climate change causes not only global warming, but also global weirding: A phenomenon by which extreme weather and natural disasters increase in frequency and intensity, displacing millions of people around the world. In our research at the Stanford Climate Cognition Lab, we focus on promoting solutions to climate change."
"Do you know what matters most when it comes to addressing the climate crisis? If not, you're not alone. Many Americans think recycling is one of the most effective ways to fight climate change. They're wrong by at least a factor of 10. One fewer transatlantic flight cuts more emissions than a year of perfect recycling-yet most people misjudge these impacts by an order of magnitude. And one well-placed vote can cut about 10 times more carbon than living car-free for a year."
Americans drastically misjudge which actions most reduce greenhouse gas emissions, often overvaluing recycling and undervaluing high-impact choices like avoiding long flights or political engagement. Avoiding a single transatlantic flight yields greater emissions reductions than a year of perfect recycling, and a well-placed vote can cut roughly ten times more carbon than living car-free for a year. Decades of lifestyle-focused messaging (lightbulbs, recycling, personal guilt) have obscured systemic solutions and weakened support for policies. Communicating which personal actions actually matter and showing how collective action contributes to solutions increases public engagement and policy support.
Read at Psychology Today
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