We had a really interesting lecture a couple of weeks ago with
Marta Cullberg Weston, a psychologist who has worked with climate change and especially our psychological defense mechanisms when it comes to this issue, which prevent us from taking proper and strong action on climate change. I used to like psychology in secondary school and it was interesting to think about the psychological reasons for why most people choose to look away from the problems we are facing.
Here's the ten different types she described, can you relate to any of them? We also went through how to handle each and every one of these types, even though she said not to bother with type number 7, they won't change their mind!
1.The Climate
Repressor: "Yikes! This is so scary! I cannot
stand to hear more! I switch channels on the TV when they show programs about
climate change”.
2. The Climate
Comfortable: "Well
... the problem will solve by itself. Nature has gone through a lot of changes
before and besides scientists will fix it ... "
3. The life
style addict: “I need my car to go to work. This is just scare tactics from the
politicians. I am going to go on living as I have always done. This is not my
problem.”
4. The
Climate Cynic: "Yes,
we're all going to die. We might as well have fun as long as possible. Besides,
I’ll be dead anyway, when things start to crack".
5. The
Climate Sad/Apathetic: "I wake up gloomy every morning. It is
terrible what is happening with the earth. It is so scary! I cannot stand to
hear about it anymore. I feel paralyzed”.
6. The
status quo thinking error: “It is just impossible to imagine.
We have never encountered this type of climate change before. I cannot believe
it is true.”
7. The
Climate Change Denier (CCD:s): " Climate change is a myth!” “It's about things other than human impact, I KNOW !"
8. The Social
trap denial: “My
contribution to the climate problems is negligible. Life on this planet has
been going on for a long time. I am just taking my share of life goods as
everyone else.”
9.The
business leader defense: “My main responsibility is to my
share holders. I have to give them a profit or we crumble. If I do not use the
oil and gas reserves some other company will and they will prosper. That is the
way it is.”
10.The Politician’s
defense: "We live in a system where
economic growth is basic. If I suggest changes that violate economic growth I
will be voted out in no time and my colleagues will not take me seriously.”