Envisaging Mitigation Action Can Induce Lower Discounting toward Future Environmental Gains and Promote Pro-Environmental Behavior

Liang-Chu Ho, Yu-Hsien Sung, Chia-Chun Wu, Pei-Shan Lee and Wen-Bin Chiou
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Liang-Chu Ho: Institute of Education, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
Yu-Hsien Sung: Institute of Education, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
Chia-Chun Wu: Department of Psychology and Social Work, National Defense University, Taipei 112061, Taiwan
Pei-Shan Lee: Institute of Education, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
Wen-Bin Chiou: Institute of Education, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 21, 1-12

Abstract: Low engagement with climate change may stem from the tendency to discount the distant benefits of mitigation action. Hence, a reduced tendency to discount the future should be associated with increased involvement in climate change mitigation. Prior research has demonstrated that episodic future thinking (EFT; i.e., envisioning future events that involve self-projection) can reduce discounting. In two laboratory studies, we showed that engaging in EFT about mitigation action was associated with a lower discounting tendency toward future environmental gains (Experiments 1 and 2) and a greater tendency to act pro-environmentally, as manifested by using air conditioning in an energy-saving manner (Experiment 1), choosing a meal with less environmental impact (Experiment 2), and willingness to participate in beach cleaning (Experiment 2). The present findings suggest that engagement in EFT about mitigation action may represent a promising strategy for improving personal involvement in climate change.

Keywords: climate change; discounting; episodic future thinking; mitigation; pro-environmental behavior (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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