Is Handling Climate Crisis Just Environmentalists’ responsibility?
There are still many people who think that the climate issue is too abstract, even my closest people think the same way. They think taking care of the earth is just has to be the duty of environmentalists. It happens because environmentalists are trusted as people who understand more about the environment than others. In fact, and as I mentioned in my previous article, the climate crisis is a global issue. To be tackled, it needs more hands.
I’m pretty sure many of us already knew one of the things that cause the raising of climate crisis urgency is human activities. It started from transportation, manufacturing, industry, food consumption, greenhouse, and other things. So, it’s really obvious that all of us have to take the responsibility for our environment. But, even those who already believe in climate crisis still feel doubt or deliberately refuse to involve themselves in solving the climate crisis.
Based on the research, there are at least 4 psychological reasons or distances that cause people to avoid, minimize, and/or distance themselves from actively and effectively engaging themselves with the issue. First, geographically, they are far away from the locations that are directly affected by the impacts of the climate crisis. Second, the effect of the climate crisis has occurred in the past or is predicted to occur in the future. In the other words, it’s not happening this time. Third, it affects other people who have no kinship, or maybe strangers. And the last is, they think the climate crisis is an uncertain issue, or too abstract.
The greater the psychological distance, the further ‘do something to solve climate problem’ is from everyone’s priorities. So, we need solutions to handle it.
There are at least 2 ways to shorten or reduce those distances. Firstly is to highlight the effect or impact of the climate crisis that already occurring in some times, or some places, or to some people that are closer to them. Secondly is to mention any kind of personal experiences that related to the impact of the climate crisis. Of course, it has to be delivered by a well-structured strategy and well-influenced way(s). Once we have done it, we can be able to influence people to change their minds and perspective about this issue.
Those 2 ways probably can effectively increase people’s awareness. Why do I call it ‘probably (possible)’, not 100%? Because according to the study (as one of my references), each person surely has different backgrounds, values, experiences, and educational opportunities (or commonly called ‘privilege’). That’s why there are also some possibilities which when those ways won’t work. Mentioning psychological distances and personal experiences might even increase their distrust and doubt about the climate crisis.
Let me re-emphasize. Climate crisis — as a global issue — definitely also really needs movement from amount of population, not things that were or is did by just one person. Nowadays, there are already many people who do something for the environment. For example, using a more eco-friendly product. Or, actively speak up and directly give their thoughts/solutions to the government. It surely is a good progress. But we can’t deny about the fact that there are still many people who don’t want to be blammed, or don’t want to take actions t create better environment.
Every single voice and action matter. This one is can’t be done by just environmentalists. We are running out of time to figure out who’s to blame, or who’s the most responsible. It’s time to open our eyes, deepen our empathy, and start to give a hand.
References :
Brugger, A. (2020, July 29). How Psychological Distance and Personal Experiences Influence Perceptions of and Response to Climate Change. Retrieved from The Climate Communications Project: https://theclimatecommsproject.org/how-psychological-distance-and-personal-experiences-influence-perceptions-of-and-response-to-climate-change/
