Past-focused environmental comparisons promote proenvironmental outcomes for conservatives

Baldwin, Matthew; Lammers, Joris

doi:10.1073/pnas.1610834113

Cited by 85 publications

(156 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…[31][32][33]. Adding to research in this area (29,30,34,35), our data suggest that systems thinking may be one pathway to encourage conservatives and Republicans to adopt a more ecological worldview, which may then bolster acceptance and understanding of climate change.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Systems thinking as a pathway to global warming beliefs and attitudes through an ecological worldview

Ballew

Goldberg

Rosenthal

et al. 2019

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Prior research has found that systems thinking, the tendency to perceive phenomena as interconnected and dynamic, is associated with a general proenvironmental orientation. However, less is known about its relationship with public understanding of climate change and/or whether this relationship varies across people with different political views. Because climate change is a highly politicized issue, it is also important to understand the extent to which systems thinking can foster acceptance of climate science across political lines. Using an online sample of US adults (n = 1,058), we tested the degree to which systems thinking predicts global warming beliefs and attitudes (e.g., believing that global warming is happening, that it is human-caused, etc.), independent of an ecological worldview (i.e., the New Ecological Paradigm). We found that although systems thinking is positively related to global warming beliefs and attitudes, the relationships are almost fully explained by an ecological worldview. Indirect effects of systems thinking are consistently strong across political ideologies and party affiliations, although slightly stronger for conservatives and Republicans than for liberals and Democrats, respectively. We did not find evidence of the converse: Systems thinking does not seem to mediate the relationship between an ecological worldview and global warming beliefs and attitudes. Together, these findings suggest that systems thinking may support the adoption of global warming beliefs and attitudes indirectly by helping to develop an ecological ethic that people should take care of and not abuse the environment. systems thinking | New Ecological Paradigm | climate change | attitudes | climate change communicationThe challenges associated with environmental protection today are multifaceted and affected by many interacting factors. The challenges operate on various, often large, spatial scales, unfold on long temporal scales, and usually have global implications (for example, carbon dynamics, nutrient cycles, and ocean acidification). Dealing with these problems will require systems thinking and integrated multidisciplinary science.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Systems thinking as a pathway to global warming beliefs and attitudes through an ecological worldview

Ballew

Goldberg

Rosenthal

et al. 2019

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Howell et al (2019) similarly argued for nostalgia to "mobiliz[e] stakeholders' identities in relation to agenda-setting goals" in environmental policy and governance. Nostalgia's capability of increasing charitable giving (Ford & Merchant 2010;Zhou et al 2012), long used as a marketing tool in advertising (Havlena & Holak 1991;Marchegiani & Phau 2011), echoes data that suggest increased conservative donations to past-oriented environmental charities (Baldwin & Lammers 2016) and could also theoretically increase public support and donations for restoration projects.…”

Section: Evaluation Uses and Limitations Of Nostalgia In Restoratiomentioning

confidence: 99%

A longing for the natural past: unexplored benefits and impacts of a nostalgic approach toward restoration in ecology

Willson

Hart

Zengel

2019

Restoration Ecology

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Nostalgia has endured a negative societal perception since its inception, which influences how it is deployed in ecological restoration. However, the emotion has undergone a paradigmatic shift over the past 15 years with new quantitative psychological research providing insight into complex and oftentimes positive effects. In particular, personal nostalgia can increase social connectedness, optimism, self‐esteem, inspiration, openness, creativity, and charitable giving. Here, we view ecological nostalgia, which we define as a desire to return a degraded ecosystem to a past state that complements bittersweet memories of a better ecological period, as an accompanying motivator for applied ecological restoration. However, some restoration ecology circles presently reject the connection with nostalgia, which excludes potential benefits for restoration practices. We provide a survey of recent psychological nostalgia research to critique and reevaluate the stigma surrounding nostalgia in restoration. By doing so, we are optimistic that more informed views of nostalgia will be adopted by the restoration community to cautiously embrace a connection that can help motivate ecological restoration activities.

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“…). However, people often reject science that goes against their values (Lewandowsky and Oberauer ), as public perceptions of science are shaped by ideology (Baldwin and Lammers ), prior experiences (Leiserowitz et al. ), and the nature of their relationship with the scientist who is communicating (Shapin and Schaffer ).…”

Section: Improving Communication: the Era Of Translational Ecologistsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Scientists often assume the public receives and processes information rationally (Simis et al 2016). However, people often reject science that goes against their values (Lewandowsky and Oberauer 2016), as public perceptions of science are shaped by ideology (Baldwin and Lammers 2016), prior experiences (Leiserowitz et al 2006), and the nature of their relationship with the scientist who is communicating (Shapin and Schaffer 1985). Many topics that ecologists study (e.g., climate change and evolution) are politically and socially charged.…”

Section: Barriersmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do we ensure the future of our discipline is vibrant? Student reflections on careers and culture of ecology

et al. 2018

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. 2018. How do we ensure the future of our discipline is vibrant? Student reflections on careers and culture of ecology. Ecosphere 9(2):e02099. 10.1002/ecs2.2099Abstract. Ecology must attract and retain diverse talented people to produce innovative research and relevant solutions to 21st-century environmental problems. Careers and culture form the foundation of scientific advancement, and substantial progress has been made over recent decades in both realms. Yet, important challenges persist in expanding career paths, inclusion of underrepresented groups, and communication with the public. The ESA Student Section organized a horizon scanning exercise to address the following goals: (1) to identify challenges that 21st-century ecologists contend with or expect to contend with in careers and outreach to society, (2) to anticipate opportunities to help ecologists meet challenges, and (3) to identify concrete steps that could be taken by individual laboratories, institutions, and the ESA to foster progress. In spring 2016, the ESA Student Section solicited input from student members and organized a working group to assess the state of the discipline and to envision how we might cultivate a more inclusive and effective community. We identified three major challenges. First, PhDs are produced faster than academic positions become available and disconnects between academia and other sectors may keep early-career ecologists from realizing the breadth of available positions. We propose an online jobs hub to make non-academic sectors more accessible to ecologists. We also suggest students develop skills portfolios to prepare for non-academic positions. Second, the composition of people who are ecologists differs from broader society, partially due to implicit biases and institutional barriers. We propose steps to reduce attrition of diversity in ecology that include countering implicit biases and creating mentorship networks. We offer steps to improve recruitment by increasing awareness of ecology among high school students and undergraduates and providing opportunities to engage in ecological research. Finally, ecology is only relevant if the public perceives it to be. We must improve science communication and begin cultivating trust. We propose that ad hoc communication by all ecologists is insufficient; ❖ www.esajournals.org 1 February 2018 ❖ Volume 9(2) ❖ Article e02099 translational ecologists should be hired in every department and formal training in translational ecology is necessary. We hope this paper catalyzes critical thinking and partnerships among students, professional ecologists, and the ESA to ensure the future of ecology is vibrant.

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Past-focused environmental comparisons promote proenvironmental outcomes for conservatives

Cited by 85 publications

References 34 publications

Systems thinking as a pathway to global warming beliefs and attitudes through an ecological worldview

Systems thinking as a pathway to global warming beliefs and attitudes through an ecological worldview

A longing for the natural past: unexplored benefits and impacts of a nostalgic approach toward restoration in ecology

How do we ensure the future of our discipline is vibrant? Student reflections on careers and culture of ecology

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