Each of us would prefer to live in a clean and safe world and would not mind saving the planet for posterity. However, far from everyone succeeds in moving from awareness of the importance of protecting nature to actions that would actually protect it. Why?
Social psychologists are well aware that we do not always act in accordance with the principles we declare. And yet it is strange why our ecology is especially unlucky in this sense. It would be nice if we were talking about some abstract values that you can not understand and not share, but you need to follow them, because that’s how it is accepted. But how can you not love forests and seas, how can you not worry about the future of your children? Nevertheless, while advocating for ecology in words, we, to be frank, rarely get down to business.
More than forty years ago, in the article «Environmental Attitudes and Actions» * social psychologists cited very eloquent results of their research. For example, 95% of the respondents they interviewed said they were ready to pick up trash if they saw it lying on the ground. However, only 2% actually did so. Since then, the situation in many developed countries has changed somewhat. And in Russia, perhaps, not too much.
- Psychology of ECOlogy
Obstacles on the «green» path
There are several reasons for this paradoxical situation. One of the main ones was formulated by the philosopher and culturologist Grigory Pomerants. “In our country, for many years, people were forced to do this and not to do this by brutal violence. We have gone through the hunger strike of the revolution, through the rationing system and many such hard restrictions. And many people have this feeling — a false feeling — that now, when the Soviet system collapsed, you can roam. Therefore, self-restraint does not take root well, ”he noted. And he argued that it is self-restraint for the sake of higher goals that is the basis of ecological thinking. The philosopher called for finding a balance between our desires, needs and a sense of personal responsibility, believing that only in this way «we will save space for a common disciplined life, in which there will be both freedom and joy.»
Another problem is that our country came to the awareness of environmental danger later than many Western powers. And the experience of environmental education and upbringing simply does not exist, it is being laid right now, before our eyes. All that was before was scattered attempts by individual enthusiasts and ineffective events held just for the sake of protocol. The current 20-year-olds literally by touch, by their own and often very winding paths, come to the need to take care of the world around them. And only the children of these 20-year-olds have a chance to grow up as the first environmentally responsible generation.
And finally, the third reason. The awareness of Western society about environmental issues and the developed opportunities for civil initiatives have given rise to a wide variety of forms of environmental activity in the West. Including extreme ones: from processions of naked people protesting against the wearing of furs, to seizures of drilling platforms. Russia turned out to be psychologically unprepared for such a struggle to preserve nature, and it is these methods that, of course, attract the most attention. As a result, the environmental activist in the minds of many of our compatriots does not look like a very pleasant character. At best, he hardly bathes, because he saves water for Africa. At worst, he can even beat the owner of a mink coat.
Meanwhile, all of us will inevitably become, if not activists, then environmentally responsible citizens, because the preservation of our planet really requires reasonable self-restraint. And the sooner we start, the less painful the restrictions will be. What could be simple and effective steps available to each of us today?
Consume Better
Reduce consumption, reuse, recycle — the main slogans of environmentalists. At first glance, they look somewhat intimidating. However, no one talks about asceticism. The essence of the slogans is just a call for moderation, to bring more pleasure into your life. But no longer due to unrestrained consumption, but due to the meaning acquired along with the awareness of one’s own actions, says ecologist Philippe Lahille, author of the book “Live simply to live better” **. Here are some tips from the book, following which we bring considerable benefits not only to the environment, but also to ourselves.
When you are tempted to make a purchase, ask yourself, “Do I really need this item?” Maybe you should wait a week or two and see if the spontaneous desire goes away on its own. Benefit: Build a hierarchy of your desires, get to know yourself better and learn how to make informed choices. Clear your house of trash. Keep only what is useful, beautiful and elegant, and distribute the rest. Benefit: What we have perfectly expresses what we are. And you will get a great chance not only to appreciate yourself, but also to become better.
Try to shop in small stores near your home, preferring local products whenever possible. Many may argue that this will cost more, but the argument is not at all so obvious. After all, you buy only what you need, and in huge hypermarkets, the temptation to spend money on something that you really absolutely do not need is much stronger. Benefit: establishing and strengthening social ties.
Get into the habit of fixing what’s broken and buying used stuff. Of course, this advice is not applicable, for example, for a dress necessary for going out. But think of the vast array of things you use that don’t have «representative» features. Benefit: Discover hidden resources in yourself and what you have.
Arrange «weeks without» — without meat, alcohol, TV, cigarettes, phone and so on. Benefit: This is a good way not only to save money, but also to assess the degree of your own addiction.
Make real commitments
Our inability to move from awareness of environmental danger to concrete action is also associated with another feature of the psyche. In the 40s, the social psychologist Kurt Zadek Lewin conducted a series of experiments in the United States that proved that more than public declarations and our personal values are important for changing habits, and ultimately our actions. Almost decisive is the context — a favorable environment in which our actions are understood and approved by those close to us.
It can be a family, a group of friends or a team of colleagues at work — it is important that they all share the desire to do something for the environment. Social psychologist Robert-Vincent Joule suggests starting with three lists. In one, you can list easy-to-follow steps. For example, turning off electrical appliances from the outlet instead of putting them into “sleep” mode, disconnecting batteries on warm days, and so on. In the other, more significant effort: not using a car for short distances, changing the gasket in a leaking faucet … In the third, big business and expenses: replacing an old boiler that consumes too much electricity, or installing good windows that protect against heat loss .
And finally, it is important for all members of the group to make obligations to others: who wants to fulfill what duty (if we are talking about common affairs) and who would be asked to help if help is needed. All this creates a favorable context: a situation in which we feel responsible for the implementation of certain tasks.
Teach children eco-behavior
Perceptions that the environment is in danger and needs our protection develop mainly in the family. That is, we have to do this, even if no one taught us anything like that. And there is no need to be afraid of this task. Teaching a son or daughter to love and protect nature does not require a degree in biology. But an understanding of child psychology is necessary. Developmental psychologist Tatyana Bednik explains how best to talk with children about the environment.
Be confident and lead by example. Start by asking, “Why is it so important for me to take care of what surrounds me?” Being honest with yourself is the key to successful parenting. Children perfectly see the difference between truth and pretense. If you are sincere in your aspirations, then the best way to tell about them is by personal example. You can talk endlessly about protecting nature, but if you forget to turn off the taps, wasting water, then the words will remain words.
Don’t blame or scare. It is important to talk about risks without falling into a dramatic tone. Yes, tell the truth, answer questions honestly, but be sure to offer an alternative: “The planet is indeed in danger, but nothing is lost if we start acting right now.” And in no case should you blame the child, emphasizing that he brings the general death closer by, for example, throwing batteries into the trash. Such reproaches motivate badly, but they can greatly frighten the child.
Bet on pleasure. Walking with parents on foot can please a son or daughter much more than driving a car. And local seasonal products will bring no less pleasure than overseas delicacies. The cult of consumerism reigns in society, and the crusade against pleasure is doomed to failure. A more efficient way is to combine pleasure with an environmentally literate lifestyle.
* «Environmental Attitudes and Actions» Journal of Social Psychology, 1972, vol. 87, issue 2.
** P. Lahille «Live simply to live better» (Dangles editions, 2012).