Global Climate Change and Human Behavior: Challenges and Solutions

Measures to Combat Climate Change

“Global Climate Change” is not a small issue. Even the change of a few degrees in the temperature can drastically affect the ecological system. It can have adverse effects on all living and non-living things.Climate change impacts every single aspect of the environment around us. The Earth’s forests are responsible for preventing global warming. Forests are also home to a variety of plants, animals, and insect species. The forest area on Earth has reduced drastically which has led to global warming.What are the measures being taken to combat climate change? Do you think these measures are effective? Why and why not? Please discuss.

With an increasing focus on the word "green" in nowadays' business world, companies are resorting to "Eco-friendly" business processes.Major electronic consumer goods manufacturers like Apple and Samsung are excellent examples of corporate biggies incorporating environment friendly manufacturing methodologies into their business system.In what ways has your company incorporated environmental awareness into its processes?

Some of the issues that are presented in regard to the environment and human behavior are pollution and noise. Nature sounds, such as sounds you will encounter when being out in open nature, such as the ocean, or trees swaying in the breeze can have a more positive effect on a person’s behavior vs if they were hearing noises such as ambulance or police sirens or yelling outside their window. The text states that “Environmental conditions can also promote health and well-being” (Applied Social Psychology ,p. 194). Contact with nature provides relief from stress and mental fatigue, as found by consistent research. Pollution and littering are other examples. It seems as though when things are already polluted people tend to litter and pollute more. Shortages on freshwater sources also socially and psychologically affect individuals. 

The text also discusses how changes in human behavior can decrease some of these issues. Having more of a plant based diet rather than meat and fish, can avoid extinction of certain species. Walking or using transportation that does not pollute the air can also help. These suggestions are great, until we factor in that some individuals may not have options. Some may have to drive to work or take public transportation, which unfortunately contributes to air pollution. For some individuals,land animals or the ocean is their only source of food. 
 
How can we take the suggestions of experts and make it feasible for people without completely changing their lives and way of obtaining a livelihood?

Incorporating Environmental Awareness in Business Processes

Human beings’ interaction with the environment is mainly influenced by how the physical environment affects them. People’s behavior impacts environmental quality either positively or negatively. The imminent social-environmental problems are global warming, noise pollution, air pollution, water contamination, etc. What’s undeniable is that these problems are caused by human behaviors which are controllable. For instance, car use and industry emissions cause global warming (Steg & Gifford, n.d.). Also, freshwater shortages are caused by human activities like bathing and cleaning in freshwater sources. Generally, social problems such as lack of fresh water, global warming, urban air pollution, forest fires, water pollution, and extinction of other species result from human activities- majorly economic activities.

The most appropriate way for solving these problems is through behavioral change interventions. There are three things to consider to design practical interventions for minimizing environmental problems via behavioral changes: behaviors that highly cause these problems, factors that prompt such behavior, and interventions likely to enhance pro-environmental behaviors. Environmental behavior aligns with personal norms; therefore, individuals will embody personal norms if they conversant with the repercussions of their actions on the environment and others.Another way of addressing these social problems is by promoting pro-environmental behavior. This is possible through interventions that target an individual’s norms, perceptions, cognitions, and motivation. For example, through environmental awareness campaigns, and programs people will willingly change their behaviors to reduce environmental pollution (Steg & Gifford, n.d.). Using block leaders, modeling, and behavioral commitment strategies help appeal to motivating factors that encourage people to embrace environmental conservation.

The general takeaway is that to address the mentioned social problems appropriately, embracing people-centric strategies is essential. Through these strategies, people can be motivated to change their behaviors that cause social problems.Remaining Question: There are various behavioral interventions for addressing environmental problems; however, we ought to ask ourselves what the appropriate means for executing these interventions to optimize pro-environmental results are? 

Humans have a need to interact with the environment for water usage, shelter, energy resources and migration. The modern day role that humans play with interacting in the environment is essential in understanding climate change, deforestation, global warming, and the psychological impacts of global warming. Environmental psychology is dealing with the concerns that affect the environment and the quality of humans and other living species life. Research applies that the environment and humans are dependent upon each other to stabilize earth. The environment influences the individual's behavior, mood, emotions, motivations, and can cause people to either adapt or adjust to environmental changes.

Impact of Human Behavior on Environmental Quality

The environment plays a remarkable role in the way humans act and behave. Environmental quality is seriously threatened all over the world. Some of the most important environmental problems are urban air pollution, noise annoyance, shortages in fresh water availability, over fishing of the seas, the loss of biodiversity and global warming(Steg,2017) These harmful environmental impacts can potentially shift the future of certain species and the availability of natural resources. Sustainable solutions are required to protect the health of the natural environment and protect the health of the human population.Climate change impacts our mental,physical and spiritual well being. The psychological impacts of climate change are growing.

The speaker mentioned how the indigenous Inuit people are witnessing the ice vanishing before their eyes. The impacts of climate change will cause 40 million climate refugees mainly from sub Saharan Africa, Latin America and South Asia. The earths environmental changes are causing people to question is it ethical to have children in this climate crisis. Some people are choosing not to have children because they fear that that doing so will amplify global warming. A growing number of people are hesitant to bring a child into a world that’s set to be affected by climate change in years to come.

Environmental conditions can greatly impact human health and wellbeing. Some of the major social problems related to the environment covered this week include global warming, mental health, behavior and family planning. Environmental quality is essential for humans, as various environmental conditions affect social interaction, health, well being, performance and behavior in individuals (Steg et al., 2017). According to Britt Wray (TEDTalk, 2019), psychological responses to climate change such as conflict avoidance, helplessness, and resignation are growing. She further explains that these conscious and unconscious mental processes are limiting us from identifying the causes of the problems, finding solutions while promoting psychological resilience (Wray, 2019). 

Britt Wray (2019) also explains how this uncertainty of saving the planet has created a new phenomenon that is a cause of the emotional hardship our generation is facing, which is choosing to have children. Individuals are asking themselves whether the planet can sustain children in the future. It seems as though the planet is so rapidly destroying that there won’t be a healthy earth for future generations. 

Mental health is an important aspect of climate change. Psychologist Renee Letzman (TEDtalk, 2019) explains how the damage created to our environment brings about feelings or anxiousness, fear,and helplessness. These feelings are understandable, but we can power through them to bring about positive change. By being attuned with your feelings and emotions that environmental problems bring about, working together in a united front for the same purpose, positive change can happen. This is further supported by Alex Laskey (TEDtalk, 2013), where he explains that behavior may be influenced by what others are doing. So in this instance if  an individual notices that his neighbors use less energy, recycle, or limit their use of plastic they would be influenced to do the same. 

A great way to address these problems is by continuing to share stories/news of the impact environmental issues cause societies. Sharing factual information on how animal extinction, pollution, global warming, and natural disasters are continuing to worsen due to the human footprint. Nation leaders must also pledge to pass policies and make plans to help cure the planet. The Paris Agreement is a great start, but now we must hold countries accountable and make sure they are doing what they promised. Which is why we must tune in for COP26 to learn how and if these nations will recommit their goal to net zero emissions by 2050. The future is ours if we have a healthy planet to live in. Remaining Question: Do you think it's too late for nations to keep the rise in global average temperature below 1.5C- to avoid the worst impact of climate change?