Behavioral and Social Science on Environmental Concern

Mentioned in my previous report, space debris is nothing compared to human activity on the impact of Earth’s environment. These activities come in many different forms: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Environmental changes like these are everywhere. They have triggered multiple forms of environmental concerns such as climate change, erosion, poor air quality, and polluted water. These negative impacts ultimately end up harming humans. As daunting as this may seem, humans have the necessary tools to face it.

For further study on this topic, the Center for Behavior & the Environment (BE Center) partnered with The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility. They specifically explored the evidence of how behavior and social science can help solve environmental concerns such as the one listed above. 

They first made a realization that “for people problems, we need people solutions.” However, Katie Williamson, a senior associate and manager at the BE Center, states that “the approaches and methods we’re using now, many of them aren’t working…to really address these problems before they get worse.” Thus, this partnership was made to have a deeper look into social & behavioral science to create new environmental solutions. They first reviewed previously made research about behavioral science on environmental concern. Then, they translated the insights from the literature into practical guidance on how to perform in regards to environmental concern. Through this project, the members and volunteers of BE Center and The Global Environment Facility were able to inspire change through the science of human behavior so that people and nature can thrive. 

• https://rare.org/video/bringing-the-science-of-human-behavior-to-environmental-challenges/?gclid=CjwKCAjw-vmkBhBMEiwAlrMeF9004Q2KiQUUzxGTNk6du-5QAWTabQrgEN-O8I7YLzDvmYymLFdZNRoCpQYQAvD_BwE

• https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/resource-library-human-impacts-environment/