Finding Cultural Values That Can Transform the Climate Change Debate

Abstract

"Responses to climate change currently fall far short of the level of ambition needed to effectively tackle the challenge. But this same inadequacy of response can be seen in approaches to meeting other problems, for example, global poverty or biodiversity loss. Evidence from social psychology highlights the importance of cultural values in shaping our collective responses to challenges such as these. 'Extrinsic' values (those preoccupied with image, social status, and financial success) are associated with lower levels of concern about such problems and lower commitment to addressing them."