title: Human behavioral contributions to climate change: psychological and contextual drivers.
abstract: We are facing rapid changes in the global climate, and these changes are attributable to human behavior. Humans produce this global impact through our use of natural resources, multiplied by the vast increase in population seen in the past 50 to 100 years. Our goal in this article is to examine the underlying psychosocial causes of human impact, primarily through patterns of reproduction and consumption. We identify and distinguish individual, societal, and behavioral predictors of environmental impact. Relevant research in these areas (as well as areas that would be aided by greater attention by psychologists) are reviewed. We conclude by highlighting ethical issues that emerge when considering how to address human behavioral contributions to climate change.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-3106, USA. jks4@psu.edu
authors.forename: Janet K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Swim
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.forename: George S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D001519:Behavior; D002980:Climate; D057231:Climate Change; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003469:Culture; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D011153:Population