
Psychology
The person is not the problem, the pollution is the problem.
Could a boycott lead to changes by governments or corporations?
​
The following quotes are from "Reducing Your Carbon Footprint Still Matters":
​​​​
​
​
“Lifestyle change can build momentum for systemic change.”
​​​​
“When individuals supplement policy efforts with ... action, they inspire new social norms.”
​
​
​
“People contribute more when they see others do it too.”
​
Especially “when conservation requires some sacrifice.”
​
If “behavioural change is essential” to minimize pollution, let’s look at social-psychological research:
​
​
-
2/3rds of “global GHG emissions … can be … linked to household consumption.”
-
-
“Cultural norms around consumption” are a key factor.
​
-
“Individual actions can have network effects.”
​​
​
We humans influence, and are influenced by, other humans.
​
Corporate & government leaders follow people, and vice versa.
​​
We all influence each other. Like with apes -- it’s monkey see, monkey do.
​
​
​
Elemental evolutionary neuro-chemical components come into play:
​
“Ancient drives to belong in a tribe or signal one’s status or attract a mate have been co-opted by marketing strategists to create” “increasing levels of … consumption and waste”.
​All humans care about social status, which is why we all use (and observe and respond to) status symbols,
such as clothing or possessions.​
If you'd like to improve your anti-pollution advocacy skills, consider the following:
​
​
​
-
“Advocates are judged for inconsistency between their behavior and advocacy."
-
-
“Advocates ... are more influential when they ... reduce their personal ... footprint.” ​
​​​
​
​​
"We're "more trustworthy [as] messengers when we [ourselves, make] the changes" we ask of our peers.
​
"Showing the way can ... motivate others."
​​
​
​​​
-
"Climate Researchers’ Carbon Footprints Affect Their Credibility."
-
-
“Climate ... communicators’ ... footprints affect ... audience’s policy support.”
The "Carbon Footprint is a useful tool for climate science and policy."
"Once in a while, an article criticizing it for being 'invented by Big Oil'
https://twitter.com/mczepkiewicz/status/1430636208464359424MichaÅ‚ Czepkiewicz@mczepkiewicz ·Aug 25
appears in the media." "It's a wrong take. Here's why."
"'Individual and collective action don’t have to be pitted against each other'."
Anti-pollution advocacy involves giving audiences bad news. For advice:
​
​
10-commandments-for-delivering-bad-news
​​
deliver-bad-news-patients-9-tips
​
how-to-break-bad-news-to-patients-experts-offer-best-practices
​​
​ patient.info/doctor/breaking-bad-news
​​
​ communicating-bad-news-comfort ​
Addicted to a polluting lifestyle? See this "12-step" advice: ​
​
​
​
​The first step is to admit you have a problem. Some other steps: ​
​
​
- Make a "searching and fearless moral inventory" of yourself.
​
- Make "a list of all [you have] harmed, and became willing to make amends."
​
- Try "to carry this message to" other addicts.
Wikipedia explains how “lifestyle change can build momentum for systemic change”. [16]
​