| Abstract: Currently, the planet is experiencing a series of record breaking storms, melting ice caps and sea level rise, ocean acidification, the loss of coral reefs, deforestation, drought, and the sixth mass extinction of plants and animals, which is occurring up to 100 times more quickly than pre-human mass extinctions. In short, the world is becoming increasingly less inhabitable for organisms, and we, human organisms, are far from doing all that we could to ensure its thriving. Behaving with ecological responsibility, however, not only involves greater effort for fewer immediate reinforcers, but often involves exposure to significant aversive contingencies. For this reason, the dominant education interventions tend to fall short of effecting the kind of behavior change necessary for even minor changes to our current planetary course, behavior analysts have the opportunity to make real impact. This panel will discuss behavioral conceptualizations of action vs. complacency in the face of the climate change, and the role of behavior analysis in promoting ecological behavior. |
| Target Audience: Behavior analysts and behavior therapists with an interest in discussing obstacles to educating the public and encouraging/implementing change, discussing the historical role of Behavior Analysis in climate change education, and discussing potential avenues for Behavior Analysis intervention in the future. |