Team D vs. Team T - Psychological barriers to climate action... and solutions.

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Yet, despite overwhelming evidence and consensus on its impacts, action remains slow. Why?

Per Espen Stoknes, a renowned psychologist and economist, delves deep into this question in his book “What We Think About When We Try Not To Think About Climate Change”.

Drawing from his insights, this blog explores the psychological barriers to climate action and the strategies to overcome them. To make these concepts more relatable to the sporting world, I have added a football twist to some of Stoknes’ work, drawing parallels between the challenges of climate change and the dynamics of the beautiful game.

Imagine a player, stepping up to take a free-kick, 20-yards out from goal. Between him and the goal is a wall of 5 players, the biggest players on the pitch, seemingly impenetrable. Each player in the wall representing a barrier to understanding and acting on climate change. Skill and power won’t cut it here, strategy is required. Time for the training ground set-piece routines.

The 5 D’s in the Wall (5 Barriers to Climate Action):

1. Distance: for many, climate change feels remote. Whether it’s melting glaciers in distant lands, polar bears, or predictions for the next century, the immediacy of the threat often doesn’t hit home.

2. Doom: overwhelmingly negative narratives around climate change can induce feelings of fear and helplessness. Without hope or actionable solutions, many choose to disengage.

3. Dissonance: when our actions, like driving cars or consuming meat, conflict with our knowledge of their environmental impact, it creates mental discomfort. To ease this, we might downplay or justify our behaviours.

4. Denial: some choose to negate or ignore the unsettling realities of climate change, seeking refuge from the fear or guilt that comes with it.

5. iDentity: our cultural, professional or political identities often filter how we perceive information. We gravitate towards data or views that align with our beliefs and dismiss that which challenges them, powering an echo chamber.

On the training ground, the set-piece coach prepared for this. The team know the best way to play a free-kick from this angle, they know how the opposition will react. They have a strategy. This is why they chose the starting line-up out on the pitch today.

The 5 T’s Team-sheet (5 S’s Strategy for Effective Climate Communication):

1. Teamwork (Social): harness the power of social influence. When communities, influencers or peers adopt sustainable behaviours, we are more likely to as well.

2. Tactics (Supportive framings): shift the narrative from doom to opportunity. Highlight the health benefits, technological advancements, job opportunities etc. that arise from sustainable actions.

3. Training (Simple actions): promote easy and straightforward sustainable actions. When eco-friendly choices become the norm, they’re more likely to be adopted.

4. Tales (Storytelling): share success stories. Narratives of individuals, communities or companies making a positive environmental impact can inspire others, our brains love stories.

5. Tally (Signals): showcase tangible progress in a relatable way using familiar metrics. Celebrate every environmental milestone, no matter how small, to motivate continued efforts.
   

With the strategy in place, rehearsed on the training pitch and brought to life in the game, the team successfully get the ball into the back of the net and take 3 points.

Stoknes’ insights offer a roadmap for understanding and addressing the psychological barriers to climate action. By recognising these barriers and implementing the strategies, we can foster a collective shift towards a sustainable future.

For a deeper dive into Stoknes’ research and insights, check out his book or watch this 15-minute TED Talk below: