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On Being Green

Toward a sustainable future

Therapy
Therapy to Help the Environment

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on August 11, 2013

People seek therapy to help them change unwanted behavior patterns. Maybe we should be using it to promote sustainability.

People seek therapy to help them change unwanted behavior patterns. Maybe we should be using it to promote sustainability.

Cognition
How Many Children Do We Want?

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on May 22, 2013

Environmentalists face a dilemma with regard to population: They don't want continued growth, but they don't want to restrict individual freedom. We should consider ways to preserve choice but frame the context for those choices.

Environmentalists face a dilemma with regard to population: They don't want continued growth, but they don't want to restrict individual freedom. We should consider ways to preserve choice but frame the context for those choices.

Environment
Natural Capital

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on May 19, 2013

Nature provide some benefits -- scary, invisible, or unexpected -- that we're unlikely to search for. But we may well miss them.

Nature provide some benefits -- scary, invisible, or unexpected -- that we're unlikely to search for. But we may well miss them.

Fear
Fear, Desire, and a Changing Climate

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on May 11, 2013

The world is getting warmer. People are responsible, though no one wants this outcome. We need to have confidence in our ability to affect this trend.

The world is getting warmer. People are responsible, though no one wants this outcome. We need to have confidence in our ability to affect this trend.

Environment
What makes us happy?

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on March 3, 2013

Getting involved with environmental activities can be a source of pleasure and help fulfill some of our core needs, such as the desire to have meaning in our lives and the desire to connect with others.

Getting involved with environmental activities can be a source of pleasure and help fulfill some of our core needs, such as the desire to have meaning in our lives and the desire to connect with others.

Environment
Flowers for Valentine's Day

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on February 10, 2013

Could there be anything more romantic than a dozen roses? Perhaps we instinctively recognize the link between environmental and human health.

Could there be anything more romantic than a dozen roses? Perhaps we instinctively recognize the link between environmental and human health.

Environment
Hot as Hell

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on January 13, 2013

New evidence about climate change may encourage pessimism. That's not necessarily a bad thing.

New evidence about climate change may encourage pessimism. That's not necessarily a bad thing.

Guilt
Guilty

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on November 18, 2012

What does it mean for a corporation to be guilty?

What does it mean for a corporation to be guilty?

Diet
Lessons From Obesity Research

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on August 12, 2012

Sometimes we need to change people's attitudes. Sometimes that's not what is needed to change their behavior.

Sometimes we need to change people's attitudes. Sometimes that's not what is needed to change their behavior.

Altruism
The Presence of Absence

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on June 17, 2012

Contrary to what you often hear, humans are a surprisingly empathetic and altruistic bunch.

Contrary to what you often hear, humans are a surprisingly empathetic and altruistic bunch.

Environment
Who Cares About Wildlife?

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on May 20, 2012

Friday, May 18th, was Endangered Species Day, reminding us of the huge number of species that face extinction. Some scientists consider the loss of biodiversity to be a bigger environmental threat than climate change. Why should we care?

Friday, May 18th, was Endangered Species Day, reminding us of the huge number of species that face extinction. Some scientists consider the loss of biodiversity to be a bigger environmental threat than climate change. Why should we care?

Environment
Mother's Day

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on May 13, 2012

There’s a cultural tradition of thinking of nature as female: Mother Earth bears and supports her children; Mother Nature is as unpredictable as a teenager with premenstrual hormone swings; Gaia is the universal mother, mother of all the gods and by extension everything else.

There’s a cultural tradition of thinking of nature as female: Mother Earth bears and supports her children; Mother Nature is as unpredictable as a teenager with premenstrual hormone swings; Gaia is the universal mother, mother of all the gods and by extension everything else.

Environment
The Buck Stops Here

Susan Clayton Ph.D. on April 28, 2012

Two surveys released this week show a striking disjunction. People acknowledge a problem but don’t feel any pressure to confront it.

Two surveys released this week show a striking disjunction. People acknowledge a problem but don’t feel any pressure to confront it.