To Scare or Not to Scare?

By: Kethaki Nair


As someone who is concerned about the environment what is the best way to enlist people in your cause? Should you sound The-Day-After-Tomorrow style disaster bells, or go the subtle route? Some studies have shown that presenting information in an overwhelming manner is often counter-productive as it discourages people from taking constructive action. Positivity can go a long way towards making people feel hopeful and making their actions meaningful. For one of my classes this semester I read a research report analyzing people’s recycling behaviors. One of the conclusions of the report was that people are more likely to recycle if they have a firm belief in the effects of their recycling on the environment. Thus positive messaging can inspire sustained engagement in recycling!

Many environmental organizations will already be aware of how their everyday practices- like the stationary they use, and their source of electricity- impacts the environment. Other organizations out there will have no idea. For these guys changing their everyday choices can be an uphill battle and the way you present your case for the environment can make a big difference. From what I’ve read so far scaring people is probably not the best thing to do. You don’t want them to turn around and say, “What difference does it make anyways?” In my mind if you can successfully convince your co-workers and your workplace to go green you can make every job a green job!