Motivating The Public For Environmental Action

Motivating the Public for Environmental ActionMotivating the Public for Environmental Action

Claudia Mausner, Ph.D.Claudia Mausner, Ph.D.Environmental PsychologistEnvironmental Psychologist

Are We Preaching to the Converted?Are We Preaching to the Converted?

How Can Psychology Help?How Can Psychology Help?

How do people think and feel about sustainability issues How do people think and feel about sustainability issues such as composting, transit, recycling?such as composting, transit, recycling?

What motivates or prohibits pro-environmental What motivates or prohibits pro-environmental behavior?behavior?

What influences decision-making patterns?What influences decision-making patterns?

How do people interpret communications?How do people interpret communications?

What is the impact of social norms?What is the impact of social norms?

Attitudes Toward Environmental IssuesAttitudes Toward Environmental Issues

DenialDenial- - It’s always been this wayIt’s always been this way-- My personal behavior has minimal effectMy personal behavior has minimal effect

BlameBlame-- Government is responsibleGovernment is responsible-- Developing world is responsibleDeveloping world is responsible-- Corporations are responsibleCorporations are responsible

Minimization/DistancingMinimization/Distancing -- Not of immediate concernNot of immediate concern-- Not of concern where I liveNot of concern where I live-- Not of concern to me or my familyNot of concern to me or my family

Ecological Literacy:Ecological Literacy: How to Inform the PublicHow to Inform the Public

Know your population Know your population

Give concrete examplesGive concrete examples

Make information personally relevantMake information personally relevant

Present the issue in local termsPresent the issue in local terms

Keep information jargon-freeKeep information jargon-free

Don’t hype the issue Don’t hype the issue

It’s Not (Just) What You SayIt’s Not (Just) What You Say. . . But How You Say It. . . But How You Say It

Scientific information may be confusing:Scientific information may be confusing: ambiguous, contradictory, complexambiguous, contradictory, complex

Language may influence attitudes and behaviorLanguage may influence attitudes and behavior

Public and “experts” may interpret facts differentlyPublic and “experts” may interpret facts differently

Information may not change attitudes . . . Information may not change attitudes . . . emotions, beliefs, values and habits are deeply ingrainedemotions, beliefs, values and habits are deeply ingrained

How to Foster Environmental ActionHow to Foster Environmental Action

Prioritize actions that will have most impactPrioritize actions that will have most impact

Conduct research to understand the problem Conduct research to understand the problem and uncover external and internal barriersand uncover external and internal barriers

Design your program Design your program Pilot test Pilot test Measure your results Measure your results

Case Study:Case Study:Tarrytown RecyclesTarrytown Recycles

What sort of receptacles are used by the complex? What sort of receptacles are used by the complex? Where are receptacles located? Is signage adequate? Where are receptacles located? Is signage adequate? Are there enough receptacles? Are there enough receptacles? Are you satisfied with the town’s collection schedule?Are you satisfied with the town’s collection schedule? What percentage of residents currently recycle? What percentage of residents currently recycle? Do residents own their own recycling bins? Do residents own their own recycling bins? How are residents informed about recycling policies? How are residents informed about recycling policies?

1 – Prioritize the Issue2 – Focus the Program3 - Research the Problem

Focus:Focus: I. I. Multi-Family DwellingsMulti-Family Dwellings & Business Properties & Business PropertiesII. II. General PublicGeneral Public

Westchester County Certificate of Achievement (2007)Westchester County Certificate of Achievement (2007)

Recycling Our Garbage Westchester County’s Source

Separation Law INVITATION TO ALL BUILDING

MANAGERS/SUPERINTENDENTS

3rd Annual Free Informational Luncheon Hosted by Tarrytown’s

Department of Public Works &

Environmental Advisory Council

Presentation byWestchester County Department of Environmental Facilities

"Recycling as Waste Reduction" Questions and Answers

Tarrytown Department of Public Works

Friday, January 11

12:30-1:30 PM Pizza and Beverages will be served

Tarrytown Senior Center West Main Street

Collaborate:

* Village DPW & Parks* Village Administration* County DEF* Local Businesses

Pilot Program: Pilot Program: Outdoor RecyclingOutdoor Recycling

Main Street and Broadway

Parks

Price: $600 - $800 per unitLid Design: Rubber baffleBusiness Sponsors: 4

Tarrytown’s Outdoor Recycling ProgramTarrytown’s Outdoor Recycling ProgramWestchester County Certificate of Achievement (2009)Westchester County Certificate of Achievement (2009)

Two dozen recycling binsTwo dozen recycling bins Paired with trash binsPaired with trash bins 12 business sponsors12 business sponsors Lower cost ($300 w/plaque)Lower cost ($300 w/plaque) Minimal “contamination”Minimal “contamination” Bilingual signageBilingual signage Security measuresSecurity measures

Key Points to RememberKey Points to Remember

WhatWhat environmental changes are most environmental changes are most important? Focus! important? Focus!

WhoWho do you want to motivate? Target! do you want to motivate? Target!

WhyWhy does the problem exist? Study! does the problem exist? Study!

WhatWhat do you want to communicate? do you want to communicate? Facts, values, beliefs, action!Facts, values, beliefs, action!

HowHow should people take action? Simplify! should people take action? Simplify!