The phenomenon of climate change is still characterized by large uncertainty and ambiguous vocabulary. Thus rational discussion is difficult. In this workshop, Professor Meadows will discuss the theory and demonstrate the practice of using simple, manual games easily to convey important features of climate change.Dennis Meadows, et. al., The Climate Change Playbook, Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, VT 2016.Chapter 4: ”Why Systems Surprise Us,”...

Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of mind, embracing psychology, computer modeling, neuroscience, linguistics, anthropology, and philosophy. Its intellectual roots are in the 1950s when cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence began. Its organizational roots are in the 1970s when the term “cognitive science” was introduced and the Cognitive Science Society was formed. Cognitive science combines ideas and methods from multiple fields to address important questions about ...

In recent decades, changes in climate have caused tremendous impacts on natural and human systems across the world, with an increase in socio-economic costs from climate-related events. In the future, climate change is also expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and heat waves, as well as the intensity of hydro-meteorological hazards. The rate of warming will then increase the likelihood of severe and irreversible impacts, especially for the m...

In order to win the world war against climate change, one will have to incentivize billions of people and enterprises to implement a myriad of micro- and macro-actions to reduce global emissions. The problem is that these stakeholders will bear 100% of the cost, and basically 0% of the benefits, which will mostly goes to future generations. This so-called externality and free-rider problems have only one solution which is unanimously supported by economists. They propose to implement the poll...

The behavioral sciences were in at the beginning of the systematic study of climate change. However, for the ensuing quarter century, they largely faded from view, during which time public discourse and policy evolved without them. That disengagement, and the recent reengagement, suggest lessons for the future role of the behavioral sciences in climate science and policy. Looking forward, the greatest promise lies in projects that make behavioral science integral to climate science by (a) tra...

This lecture is will describe a research program directed at uncovering the cognitive mechanisms involved in non-expert understanding and use of information to make decisions under uncertainty. It will begin by providing background on the key principles of human information processing, including its strengths and limitations, that form the basis of the cognitive approach. Then it will focus on issues related to decision-making under uncertainty, from an applied perspective, in the context of ...

One of the relatively unexplored dimensions of climate denial is the power of its narrative in attracting adherents. We investigate the properties of its narrative, using various tools from applied narratology and discourse analysis, and demonstrate how and why it resonates with many and how it isolates this social movement from effective dialogue. One interesting finding is that climate denial may be founded upon a 'genetic' metanarrative that is, at its core, not even about climate itself, ...

In 2008, the authors of a famous Science article proclaimed that climate change had rendered a fundamental societal assumption, that of ecological stationarity, to be “dead.” But adaptation to environmental change is not a new problem for our species. Indeed, some of the defining evolutionary moments of our species may have been times of environmental change. This talk will explore some of the pathways by which humans recognize and act on risks using case examples and other studie...

1-Flourishing, not sustainability, is the right vision for the future2- The Right Way to Flourish. Reconnecting with the Real WorldThe call to sustainability has failed to rouse the world to the urgent need for critique and remedial action. In its place, flourishing is the proper normative vision to put Planet Earth on a viable trajectory, halting the present downward spiral of environmental and social deterioration. Flourish...

Climate activism is crucial for any sustained progress on climate action. I will discuss this from two systemic perspectives in social science: political economy and science communication. I will explore what the terms "fossil capitalism" and "captured state" mean in reality and for activism, in particular through the lens of the political economy of dependence on cars. I will build on this systemic understanding to draw lessons for the role, potential and necessity of social organizing and a...

What kind of actions are most effective in shifting cultures and systems at the rate, scale, speed, and depth that is called for today?  With more and more attention on climate activism, it is worth considering the qualities of agency that are most effective at generating change. In this talk, I will consider the relationship between individual change, collective change and systems change and argue for a “fractal” approach to climate activism.   O’Brien, K.,Selboe, E...

Scholars, journalists, and activists continue to debate the role of emotional messaging in climate change communication. This talk will consider existing theory and research on the role of emotions, especially fear and hope, in public engagement and activism around climate change. Particular attention will be paid to how media, including both news and entertainment, evoke emotions about climate change, with the potential to both activate and alienate publics.Borum Ch...

Is academic climate advocacy to be celebrated or derided? There are various flavours of climate advocacy and activism among academic researchers. Some facilitate engagement about their research; others abstain under pressure from their scientific peer communities not to over-reach beyond their research specialty. A literature review suggests there are three advocacy approaches: avoidance of all advocacy (Type 0), advocacy for (scientific) evidence (Type I), and advocacy for policy outcomes (T...