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Anthropocene Mind

The human side of climate change

Personality
Who Acts With the Earth in Mind?

Michele Wick Ph.D. on August 26, 2020

Openness and honesty/humility had the greatest connection to pro-environmental behaviors. The effect was small but multiplied over millions of people, potentially powerful.

Openness and honesty/humility had the greatest connection to pro-environmental behaviors. The effect was small but multiplied over millions of people, potentially powerful.

Environment
Children Nurture Their Parents' Climate Care

Michele Wick Ph.D. on April 22, 2020

Parents of children in an intergenerational learning program focused on climate change were more likely to change their minds about climate change.

Parents of children in an intergenerational learning program focused on climate change were more likely to change their minds about climate change.

Environment
Increasing Urgency During Our Climate Emergency

Michele Wick Ph.D. on December 29, 2019

Positive contact across group lines promotes more egalitarian perspectives, which influences more environmentally responsible attitudes and behaviors.

Positive contact across group lines promotes more egalitarian perspectives, which influences more environmentally responsible attitudes and behaviors.

Environment
Collective Quiet And Our Changing Climate

Michele Wick Ph.D. on July 29, 2019

We go mum because we think that that our views are unique. If we all make the same mistake, the net result is that nobody talks about urgent issues, like climate change.

We go mum because we think that that our views are unique. If we all make the same mistake, the net result is that nobody talks about urgent issues, like climate change.

Spirituality
Believing in Science Bolsters Belief in Climate Science

Michele Wick Ph.D. on March 12, 2019

Cueing our belief in the credibility of science might help us bypass partisan portraits of climate change and orient us toward a more accurate understanding of climate science.

Cueing our belief in the credibility of science might help us bypass partisan portraits of climate change and orient us toward a more accurate understanding of climate science.

Environment
The Power of the Past

Michele Wick Ph.D. on August 19, 2018

People who identify as politically conservative have more affection for the past than those who lean liberal. The researchers used this nostalgic frame to change minds.

People who identify as politically conservative have more affection for the past than those who lean liberal. The researchers used this nostalgic frame to change minds.

Environment
Earth Day 2018

Michele Wick Ph.D. on April 22, 2018

Many Americans have changed their minds about global warming. In a survey of 1,278 Americans, 70% believed that global warming is real compared to 63% three years ago.

Many Americans have changed their minds about global warming. In a survey of 1,278 Americans, 70% believed that global warming is real compared to 63% three years ago.

Spirituality
Dynamic Debunking

Michele Wick Ph.D. on February 25, 2018

How do we fight fake news? This review examined when debunking misinformation works, and when it doesn't.

How do we fight fake news? This review examined when debunking misinformation works, and when it doesn't.

Ethics and Morality
Who Deserves the Right to Choose Green?

Michele Wick Ph.D. on August 16, 2016

People who earned their income, as opposed to receiving welfare, were deemed more deserving of the right to spend extra cash to cool the planet.

People who earned their income, as opposed to receiving welfare, were deemed more deserving of the right to spend extra cash to cool the planet.

Environment
Collective Denial

Michele Wick Ph.D. on March 15, 2016

2015 was the warmest year on Earth since scientists started keeping score 136 years ago. Who connects this data to climate change?

2015 was the warmest year on Earth since scientists started keeping score 136 years ago. Who connects this data to climate change?

Environment
Fever

Michele Wick Ph.D. on February 28, 2016

The mosquito Aedes aegypti craves heat. Zika and other viruses that mature within its belly like it too. Do Americans believe that climate change could make them ill?

The mosquito Aedes aegypti craves heat. Zika and other viruses that mature within its belly like it too. Do Americans believe that climate change could make them ill?

Creativity
Creative Concerns

Michele Wick Ph.D. on July 30, 2015

At first glance, the notion that creativity perturbs us is oxymoronic. We live in an age in which we are encouraged to prize all things ingenious. However, novelty also brings risk and uncertainty.

At first glance, the notion that creativity perturbs us is oxymoronic. We live in an age in which we are encouraged to prize all things ingenious. However, novelty also brings risk and uncertainty.

Identity
We Are What We Landscape

Michele Wick Ph.D. on May 21, 2015

Home and business owners in drought stricken California are painting their brown lawns green. With the wave of a sprayer wand, parched blades of grass instantly turn emerald. It is like dying grey hair back to its original hue; we read youth and vitality into colored locks. What messages do we see in a lawn?

Home and business owners in drought stricken California are painting their brown lawns green. With the wave of a sprayer wand, parched blades of grass instantly turn emerald. It is like dying grey hair back to its original hue; we read youth and vitality into colored locks. What messages do we see in a lawn?

Environment
Making Our Mark

Michele Wick Ph.D. on April 22, 2015

Imagine if change were as simple as having people contemplate the mark they want to leave on the world.

Imagine if change were as simple as having people contemplate the mark they want to leave on the world.

Soil, Dakota Lakes Research Farm, Hughes County, SD
Environment
Beyond Storms and Droughts

Michele Wick Ph.D. on July 1, 2014

Ninetyseven percent of climate scientists believe that global warming is a bona-fide threat to our well-being and they are becoming increasingly vocal about their concerns. Recently, psychologists Susan Clayton and Christine Manning have joined the chorus with their new report, Beyond Storms & Droughts: The Psychological Impacts of Climate Change.

Ninetyseven percent of climate scientists believe that global warming is a bona-fide threat to our well-being and they are becoming increasingly vocal about their concerns. Recently, psychologists Susan Clayton and Christine Manning have joined the chorus with their new report, Beyond Storms & Droughts: The Psychological Impacts of Climate Change.

Relationships
Glass Slippers

Michele Wick Ph.D. on December 15, 2013

Cinderella’s fairy Godmother not only helped Cinderella get her man but she may have been thinking about how to keep him too. The exclusive fairytale fashion bore a message to the evil stepsisters who watched the Prince celebrate his new princess—keep away, he is Cinderella’s.

Cinderella’s fairy Godmother not only helped Cinderella get her man but she may have been thinking about how to keep him too. The exclusive fairytale fashion bore a message to the evil stepsisters who watched the Prince celebrate his new princess—keep away, he is Cinderella’s.

Environment
The Midas Effect

Michele Wick Ph.D. on December 2, 2013

When Dionysus, the Greek god of pleasure and festivity, offered King Midas anything he wanted as reward for being a nice guy, Midas requested a golden touch. Most of us know what happened next. This homily on greed was created for an ancient audience, but its lessons are germane to 21st century citizens.

When Dionysus, the Greek god of pleasure and festivity, offered King Midas anything he wanted as reward for being a nice guy, Midas requested a golden touch. Most of us know what happened next. This homily on greed was created for an ancient audience, but its lessons are germane to 21st century citizens.

After the storm - Warners Bay, Newcastle, NSU, AU - 9th June 2007, Tim J. Keegan
Imagination
Our Myopic Imagination

Michele Wick Ph.D. on November 22, 2013

The problem with prediction is that it requires imagination. When scientists forecast the ravages of climate change—that by the year 2100 the Arctic will be a much thinner version of its current self or the ocean will be three feet taller—we are prompted to project ourselves into the future. This is not our forte.

The problem with prediction is that it requires imagination. When scientists forecast the ravages of climate change—that by the year 2100 the Arctic will be a much thinner version of its current self or the ocean will be three feet taller—we are prompted to project ourselves into the future. This is not our forte.