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The Psychology of Climate Change Adaptation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 May 2019

Anne van Valkengoed
Affiliation:
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands
Linda Steg
Affiliation:
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands

Summary

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.
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The Psychology of Climate Change Adaptation
  • Anne van Valkengoed, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands, Linda Steg, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands
  • Online ISBN: 9781108595438
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The Psychology of Climate Change Adaptation
  • Anne van Valkengoed, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands, Linda Steg, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands
  • Online ISBN: 9781108595438
Available formats
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The Psychology of Climate Change Adaptation
  • Anne van Valkengoed, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands, Linda Steg, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands
  • Online ISBN: 9781108595438
Available formats
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