The Psychology of Climate Change Adaptation

Presents an in-depth overview of the psychology behind adaptation behaviour to climate change.

Anne van Valkengoed (Author), Linda Steg (Author)

9781108724456, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 May 2019

75 pages, 2 b/w illus. 1 colour illus. 2 tables
23 x 15.3 x 0.5 cm, 0.14 kg

Why do some people adapt to the risks of climate change, while others do not? This Element provides an in-depth overview of the psychology of climate change adaptation. It begins with an overview of adaptation behaviour and highlights the importance of successful adaptation by individuals and households. Key psychological theories are introduced that can explain adaptation behaviour and the role of a wide variety of motivational variables in adaptation behaviour is discussed, such as risk perception, experiences with climate-related hazards, and perceived responsibility. Next, the authors examine three examples of how this psychological knowledge has been used to develop and test interventions to promote adaptation behaviour in real-world settings. After which, the relationship between climate adaptation behaviour and climate mitigation behaviour are considered and the potential for integrating these bodies of literature is put forward. It concludes with an agenda for future psychological research on climate change adaptation behaviour.

1. Introduction
2. What is climate change adaptation?
3. Factors that promote adaptation behaviour
4. Interventions to encourage adaptation
5. Linking climate change mitigation and adaptation
6. Research agenda.

Subject Areas: Climate change [RNPG], Social, group or collective psychology [JMH]