Psychology of Sustainability Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Topic: Psychology of sustainability
• Key Concept: Using psychology to save the environment and promote human health and well-being

Definition of Sustainability

• Common Definition: Meeting present needs without compromising future ability to meet needs
• Current Problem: Economic development and lifestyles often do not contribute to sustainability

Types of Environmental Problems

1. Aesthetic Environmental Problems
   • Impair quality of life and environmental appearance
   • Examples: Litter, air pollution
   • Impact: Affects natural vistas, national parks
2. Health-Related Environmental Problems
   • Threat to human health causing disease and illness
   • Example: Air pollution (7 million deaths yearly)
   • Other Examples: Toxic waste, water pollution
3. Resource-Related Environmental Problems
   • Depletion of essential resources
   • Examples: Fossil fuels, clean water, arable land, forests
   • Impact: Global consumption requires 1.6 Earths, potential need for 2 Earths by the 2030s

In-Depth Look at Environmental Problems

Environmental Aesthetics

• Litter: Common and visible issue
• Air Pollution
  • Affects national parks, reducing visibility and beauty
  • US National Parks: Haze from pollution

Health-Related Environmental Problems

• Air Pollution
  • Major health threat
  • Causes respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, cancer
  • Sources: Cars, power plants, construction, wildfire smoke
• Toxic Waste
  • Contains harmful chemicals, carcinogens
  • Sources: Chemical manufacturing, medical waste, electronics disposal

Resource Problems

• Water Scarcity & Stress
  • Extreme water stress definition: Withdrawals over 80% of supply
  • Middle East and North Africa: Most stressed regions
  • Future Impact: Potential for half the world facing scarcity by 2025
  • US Example: Low water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell
• Causes of Water Stress
  • Diminished quantity: Overstocking, poor management, climate change, population growth
  • Diminished quality: Technological failures, contamination
  • Impact on Socio-Economic Factors: Food insecurity, health risks, social conflicts
• Examples of Resource Depletion: Fossil fuels, arable land shortage, forest depletion
• Cascade Effects
  • Human activities such as deforestation have ripple effects on ecosystems
  • Example: Soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, climate impact

Human Impact and Climate Change

• Deforestation
  • Causes: Logging, agriculture, ranching, fuel wood, climate-aggravated fires
  • Impact: Soil erosion, biodiversity loss, increased CO2
• Climate Change Contributions
  • Greenhouse gases: CO2 from fossil fuels, methane from agriculture
  • Methane release from permafrost
  • Nitrous oxide from fertilizers and burning
  • Effects: Temperature rise, severe weather, ecosystem stress, sea level rise

Role of Psychology in Sustainability

• Objective: Understand and promote pro-environmental attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors
• Behavioral Concepts
  • Risk perception errors and biases
  • Present bias (immediate benefits vs future harm)
  • Motivated reasoning (ignoring problems to maintain current behaviors)
  • Influences: Social norms, expert opinions, optimism bias
  • Impacts: Preparation and mitigation actions

Conclusion

• Importance of Acting Now: Psychologically informed strategies needed to address complex environmental issues effectively