‘Psychological bias’ to climate change risks slowing progress, study says

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🔭 The context: New research reveals that psychological biases are hindering climate action in Europe
• A study of over 70,000 people from 17 countries, including the U.S. and Europe, shows that people tend to underestimate their own vulnerability to climate risks, a phenomenon that could slow down progress in mitigating and adapting to climate change 

🗞️ Driving the news: The study, published in Nature Sustainability, found that 65% of participants believed they were less at risk from climate change than others
• The ‘not-me’ mindset is especially pronounced in Europe, despite the continent experiencing warming at twice the global average
• This bias could be preventing individuals from taking proactive climate action

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The research highlights how cognitive biases affect climate perceptions and responses
• The reluctance to acknowledge personal vulnerability to climate risks may delay both individual and policy-driven efforts to tackle climate change
• This barrier to full societal engagement could prolong environmental degradation and the intensifying impacts of extreme weather events

⏭️ What’s next: Experts suggest that tackling these psychological biases could be key to accelerating climate action
• Improved climate education, personal engagement with the risks, and policies that highlight individual vulnerability may help shift public attitudes and spur greater participation in climate solutions

💬 One quote: “Even when people recognise the real risks posed by climate change, many seem to perceive these risks as primarily affecting others,” said Magnus Bergquist, senior lecturer at the University of Gothenburg

📈 One stat: 65% of participants rated their own climate risk as lower than others, according to the study

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