When we talk about climate change, it often sounds like a list of sacrifices—like eating less meat or driving less. But what if we flipped that narrative? Instead of focusing on what to cut back on, we could highlight what to embrace, like eating more plants and biking more often. A recent study shows that presenting environmental actions positively can encourage people to take action and feel better about it.
Jade Radke, a Ph.D. student at the University of British Columbia, led this research. She found that eating more plants or walking and biking can actually boost happiness. During the study, Radke’s team surveyed 779 participants online, asking about 15 different environmental actions. They split the participants into two groups: one received questions framed positively, like “increase your use of reusable products,” while the other was given the negative spin, like “decrease your use of single-use products.”
In a second round with 770 more respondents, participants rated how likely they would be to take these actions and how happy they thought they’d feel afterward. The results were clear: people preferred the “do more good” approach, responding more positively to these suggestions. They also anticipated more happiness from them. However, an exception emerged: when it came to driving, the positive framing didn’t seem to encourage enthusiasm. Radke believes this might be because many people aren’t huge fans of driving anyway.
The study made it clear that telling people what they *can* do rather than what they *can’t* is more effective. Radke noted, “Many people feel overwhelmed by the need to cut back on everything. They get stuck in wondering what they can do instead.” By providing clear and actionable alternatives, we can motivate more individuals to engage in positive environmental actions.
Moreover, a broader survey from the UN indicates that around 70% of people are willing to change their habits for the environment if they feel supported and informed. This reflects a growing trend where individuals want to contribute to a better planet while also enhancing their quality of life.
Ultimately, it’s about framing sustainable actions in a way that adds to people’s lives, rather than taking away. Simple changes can make a big difference when approached positively.
