The dragons of inaction: Psychological barriers that limit climate change mitigation and adaptation.
2011/01/01 by Robert Gifford · 2 citations
Environmental Science · Social Sciences · Psychology · #Environmental Education and Sustainability #Climate Change Communication and Perception #Behavioral Health and Interventions #Sustainability #Greenhouse gas #Climate change #Adaptation (eye) #Action (physics) #Psychology #Social psychology #Political science #Business #Ecology
paper · doi:10.1037/a0023566
openalex publication_date 2011/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Abstract
Most people think climate change and sustainability are important problems, but too few global citizens engaged in high-greenhouse-gas-emitting behavior are engaged in enough mitigating behavior to stem the increasing flow of greenhouse gases and other environmental problems. Why is that? Structural barriers such as a climate-averse infrastructure are part of the answer, but psychological barriers also impede behavioral choices that would facilitate mitigation, adaptation, and environmental sustainability. Although many individuals are engaged in some ameliorative action, most could do more, but they are hindered by seven categories of psychological barriers, or "dragons of inaction": limited cognition about the problem, ideological world views that tend to preclude pro-environmental attitudes and behavior, comparisons with key other people, sunk costs and behavioral momentum, discredence toward experts and authorities, perceived risks of change, and positive but inadequate behavior change. Structural barriers must be removed wherever possible, but this is unlikely to be sufficient. Psychologists must work with other scientists, technical experts, and policymakers to help citizens overcome these psychological barriers.
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