Psychological Dimensions of Global Environmental Change

Humanity is changing the natural environment with activities that alter global systems, eg, the atmosphere, or become global by accretion, as when forest clearing reduces the number of species in the world. Psychology is relevant to such "global change" because the changes are largely anthropogenic & because human behavior must be controlled to ameliorate or redirect change. Here, defined is the place of psychology in research on global change mitigation, & adaptation. Existing knowledge is reviewed & a research agenda identified. Emphasis is on: research on environmental attitudes; the determinants of specific human activities, eg, energy use & conservation or participation in environmental movement organizations, through which individuals can participate in causing, ameliorating, or responding to global change; & the ways people may perceive, respond to, or be affected by global environmental changes. Research on local environmental issues is addressed only when the work raises issues that also apply to global environmental problems. It is concluded that interdisciplinary research is required because the forces driving the critical behaviors act in combination, & are not only psychological. 2 Tables, 2 Figures, 158 References. AA