Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Am Psychol. 2011 May-Jun;66(4):290-302. doi: 10.1037/a0023566.
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.
大多数人认为气候变化和可持续性是重要问题，但很少有全球公民从事高温室气体排放行为，而从事足够缓解行为以遏制温室气体和其他环境问题增加的人则更少。为什么会这样呢？结构障碍，如对气候不利的基础设施，是答案的一部分，但心理障碍也阻碍了促进缓解、适应和环境可持续性的行为选择。尽管许多人都在采取一些改善措施，但大多数人还可以做得更多，但他们受到七类心理障碍或“不作为的巨龙”的阻碍：对问题的认知有限，倾向于排除环保态度和行为的意识形态世界观，与关键他人的比较，沉没成本和行为动力，对专家和权威的怀疑，对变革的风险感知，以及积极但不足够的行为改变。只要有可能，就必须消除结构性障碍，但这可能还不够。心理学家必须与其他科学家、技术专家和政策制定者合作，帮助公民克服这些心理障碍。
