Getting People to Care About Climate Change

What's the best way to get people to give a darn about climate change?  Have them compete with their neighbors.

That's according to a small study done on ways to encourage homeowners to conserve energy.  Apparently the idea of helping the environment or being socially responsible is not enough to garner much action from homeowners, but when it comes to "keeping up with the Jones" - well that seems to light a fire under people's butts. 

David Fahrenthold's article about climate change in the Washington Post this week brought this fact to light, along with some other intriguing/depressing tidbits like the fact that "To a psychologist, climate change looks as if it was designed to be ignored"  - because its worst effects will probably happen to someone else at some other time.  It turns out that "warnings about climate change kick at emotional dead spots in all human brains - but especially in American brains."  The United Nations climate talks are going on NOW but instead of following that dialog and thinking about the long-term, most Americans are googling Tiger Woods or at the mall looking for the best deal on a high-def TV.

Knowing this, what can we do to get more people to ACT?  If pitting neighbor against neighbor is what it takes, then lets find a way to capitalize on that.  Maybe we should be hosting neighborhood competitions.  Who has the most compact fluorescent light bulbs in their home?  The best rain garden?  The least amount of trash?  Grants for homeowners who make energy efficient improvements could be a way for homeowners to earn bragging rights. "I can't believe you didn't take advantage of that super low-interest loan for new windows!!"  Looking like an idiot - maybe that'll get 'em going.

What do you think?  Do you agree with this dour outlook on personal responsibility for the environment?  What have you seen that really works as a call to action?  Has your neighborhood done anything to try to rally the cause? 

This is my post for the Green Moms Carnival on the topic of Climate Change.  Diane at Big Green Purse is hosting so be sure to visit her site next Monday, Dec. 14th to find out what other smart Moms (and mothers of the earth) are saying on this important topic.

{image:  CO2 cube in Copenhagen via visitcopenhagen.com}

Comments

[Diane MacEachern]

I've seen a lot of research along this line, and it's worth taking seriously. "One-upmanship" is a very old game, but it works when people are trying to measure themselves against others. Nothing like a race to get everyone to the finish line!

[Sprout]

Although I am not driven by competition, I know many people that are, and although that motivation is somewhat perplexing, I have seen it in action. I am even more intrigued though by the federal grants that have been discussed for home owners to make their houses more energy efficient. If competition doesn't arouse people, then saving money certainly could. Cash for Clunkers was a good experiment in this approach.

[Linda Anderson]

In other words, the grass is always greener on the other side (at your neighbor's house).

[Youcan Biteme]

You're such an idiot!!

[Residential tanning beds]

Haha that is so true. We need the greenest neighbor competition for every neighborhood in the US.