Climate change skepticism and pro-environmental engagement in adolescents

In this session, Stathis Grapsas from the UU Psychology department will present his work on climate change skepticism and pro-environmental engagement during adolescence.

To act on tackling climate change, people should first acknowledge that climate change is real, caused by humans, and with severe consequences. Despite consensus on these facts, some people remain unconvinced, and this hampers individual and societal transitions to a more sustainable way of life. Such climate change skepticism does not suddenly appear in adulthood: it is already present in adolescence, the developmental period when the people start to reflect on who they are, what they want, and how they are embedded in society. In this talk, I will draw from recent research on the correlates of climate change skepticism in youth to discuss how research and practice can instill trust in climate science and strengthen pro-environmental engagement in a generation that will soon hold in its hands the future of our planet.