By Danielle Goldwert and Madalina Vlasceanu
This week, a rare winter storm is sweeping across the United States, raising eyebrows about how it relates to climate change. Scientists teach us that global warming leads to “global weirding,” where extreme weather events become more common. Changing weather patterns can uproot millions of lives worldwide. Research at the Stanford Climate Cognition Lab reveals ways we can help tackle these climate issues.
What do most people believe is the most effective action against climate change? Surprisingly, many think it’s recycling. In reality, excluding a single transatlantic flight does far more for the environment than a year of perfect recycling. And voting for the right candidates can cut carbon emissions even more than choosing to live car-free. Yet, people often underestimate the impact of these choices.
This disconnect highlights a broader issue in how we approach climate change. For years, the focus has been on small actions like changing lightbulbs or feeling guilty about our carbon footprints. However, studies with over 35,000 Americans show that this approach is backfiring.
When we strictly emphasize personal actions, we risk ignoring larger, systemic changes that matter more. A recent study revealed that while knowing which personal actions reduce emissions can prompt better choices, it might also lead individuals to shy away from community efforts, like voting for eco-friendly policies. Most environmental groups spend significant resources on promoting individual behaviors, but this may detract from the collective efforts needed to drive real change.
So what spurs these essential systemic changes? Research indicates that scaring people about their footprints or shaming them isn’t effective. Instead, people are more likely to join collective actions when they understand the positive impact of their efforts. Encouragingly, appeals to shared values, such as protecting nature, resonate across political lines, showing that climate action can unite rather than divide.
Real climate progress requires a shift in perspective. Not everything can be solved by a checklist of individual actions. History shows us that collective movements—like civil rights and labor rights—bring systemic change. Messaging around climate can either motivate people to join together or inadvertently push them away.
We need to do two key things: first, correct misunderstandings about what truly matters in terms of personal actions, and second, inspire individuals to see themselves as part of a bigger movement. For example, while skipping a flight counts, it’s voting and organizing that can create substantial changes.
This doesn’t mean personal actions should be ignored. They play an important role by shaping norms and encouraging demand for sustainable products. But we should prioritize collective action over individual lifestyle changes. Imagine if campaigns focused on celebrating community achievements and connecting people to local initiatives. Highlighting the joy of working together could transform the narrative.
Given the stakes, we need to be thought-provoking in our messaging. Americans are willing to act against climate change; it’s time to focus this energy on collective solutions to prevent infrequent weather events from becoming part of our normal routine.
For further understanding of climate change impacts and strategies, you can explore resources like the PBS Global Weirding series or check out reports on effective climate solutions.
