Seminar Esther Papies: A better world is possible:  Behavioural science in times of planetary crisis

We are in a crisis of planetary health: human behaviour in the service of economic growth breaches most planetary boundaries, with significant costs for human health and social justice.  We are also in a crisis of systems and behaviour: most people are concerned about this crisis, but do not contribute to the behaviour and systems change required for a safe future for all.  This is at least in part due to a crisis of imagination: the transformations needed are not seen as desirable, and not presented as such in societal discourse.  Therefore, they do not create motivation to change. 

Behavioural science can play at least three key roles in addressing these crises, which I will illustrate with research from my own and other labs.  First, behavioural scientists can help co-create visions for a better world, which can provide motivation for behaviour and systems change.  Second, behavioural scientists can use their knowledge to convert this motivation into action by engaging with citizens, gathering and generating actionable scientific evidence, and galvanizing action from policy makers. Finally, behavioural scientists can help re-shape systems in such a way that behaviour in line with planetary boundaries is rewarding rather than costly, for example through changes in policy, infrastructure, or choice architecture.  A better world is possible, and behavioural scientists are in a prime position to help create it.