CERNA Assessment
We are all swimming against the stream. Together!
We all know, that to mitigate the climate crisis, we need to do things differently.
We know, that climate action is hindered by most of us thinking, that nobody else cares. We know that you are left believing that your one drop in the ocean makes no difference. We also know, that this is wrong!
We have investigated awareness, attitudes and norms related to the climate and energy crisis in 6 European cities. Based on this we can tell you that most people, regardless of political affiliations, are concerned about the climate crisis and support green policies.
We would like to share these findings with you and maybe even inspire and enable you to transition towards more sustainable behaviours.
Scroll down or click below to learn more...
If you are curious about the situation in other countries, you can check out the results from PROBONO's Living Labs by choosing a country.
What is pluralistic ignorance and what does it do to us?
Pluralistic ignorance is like the naked emperor: we think no one cares about taking action, so we don't either - but actually, most people do care and are ready to act.
Pluralistic ignorance happens when people go along with something they don't agree with because they think everyone else supports it. In H.C. Andersen's tale, The Emperor's New Clothes, everyone pretends to see the Emperor's clothes because they think others can see them. In truth, the emperor is naked, no one sees anything, but they stay quiet to avoid looking foolish. This creates a false social reality, when everybody believes they are alone with their beliefs. But once they realise everybody thinks the same thing, nothing stops them from speaking up anymore!
The problem is, that as long as we all walk around believing that nobody else is acting on the climate crisis, then our personal actions do not matter as they are just a drop in the ocean. But when we realise that we are all on the same page, we can act and it matters!
Therefore, we have investigated how many of us are concerned about the climate crisis and news are good.
Country specific results explained:
But...what can I do?
You can do a lot, we all can. And our research shows that we would all like to. But it's tough to know which actions make the biggest impact on climate change. Don't worry- we've done the math for you and cleared up some common misunderstandings!
It's important to know that all climate actions are good actions...
Country specific results explained:
Willpower and motivation alone won't help you, habits will!
Of course, sometimes motivation, willpower and planning skills is sufficient. For instance, when we decide to buy a new bike or buy a heat pump, it is by and large a one-time decision. However, web also tend to believe that using our willpower and determination is enough to change our habits, that is actions that are repeated again and again, for instance such as actually riding the new bike you bought. Most of us have tried to decide on a new, healthier habit, like starting running, eating more veggies, spending less money. And most of us have also tried to fail, despite our motivation. That is, because changing habits takes something quite different from just willpower and determination!
And it is worth knowing how to change habitual behaviours since they structure most of our daily life, including climate and energy related actions such as our energy consumption and dietary and transportation habits.
Context and Cues
Habits responds to cues in our surroundings, little signals we are responding to unconscious, that are activating habitual actions. If we are used to taking the car to work, we do not think about it, it's an automatic process. We grab the car keys and go to the car without even thinking about it. What can you do to change? You can rearrange your context:
1. Create friction: To get rid of unwanted habits, make them difficult. Lock in the car keys, park far away
2. Make it easy: To enable new habits, make them easy. Prepare and set up your surroundings so the bike, the keys, the helmet, the route and proper clothing is the first and easy choice.
Repeat, repeat, repeat
The strength and persistency of habits lies in their automaticity. They do not demand mental energy, we just do them. This comes from repeating the same action over and over, until they are unconscious and automatic. At first, this will take will-power and determination but one day, you realise that the new behaviours just happen by themselves.
1. One failure doesn't mean your hard work is lost! The morning after you chose the car despite your best intentions to take the bike, it will be good to know, that the repetitions already completed are not lost. Just keep going!
2. Despite myths floating around online, there is no universal rule for how many times a new action needs to be repeated until it's habitual
Rewards yourself
Rewards are a well-known instrument to induce new behaviours. But when it comes to changing habits, there is more to rewards than you'd think. However, if you get it right, the benefit of rewards will keep working for you, even when the reward ceases.
1. Rewards should be unexpected. When taking the bike, be mindful about focusing on something that makes you happy. Notice the beautiful flowers and the unexpected friendly people.
2. Rewards work best when they are immediate and even better if the reward is integrated into the action. For instance, while biking then immerse yourself in the feeling of doing something good.
3. Rewards should be uncertain. Although it seems counterintuitive, rewards work best when linked to a certain degree of uncertainty.
Behavioural change and habit formation is without doubt a complex topic. What you find in this little teaser about habit formation is just a peak of the top of the iceberg. The information here builds on Prof. Wendy Wood's book, Good Habits, Bad Habits, in which she explains the science and research behind habits in a fun and easy accessible manner. If you want to learn more about the psychological and neurological processes related to habit formation, we highly recommend to start with this book!