Why knowing about cognitive biases is important for the environment

We all have biases. We may even reference them with a casual, off-handed comment: “I may be biased, but…” What you may not be aware of, however, is how each of our subconscious beliefs actually affect the health of the environment.

Here’s the good news: becoming aware of our predispositions can lead to empowered decisions and also change the direction of the climate crisis. (Are you paying attention now?) Read on to learn more!

What is ‘cognitive bias’?

Cognitive bias is subconscious favoritism that jeopardizes your rational decision-making process. In layman’s terms? You see what you want to see. Our brains are pattern-driven. Creating mental shortcuts has allowed us to survive and evolve; we can make decisions faster and spend less energy doing so.

Today, this patterning comes in handy when we do any habitual task. For instance, brushing your teeth. This process doesn’t need to absorb all of your attention (unless you’re using it as a mindfulness practice). If it did, you’d spend way too much time and energy on things you do everyday, leaving less behind for important decisions, energetically-demanding tasks, and personal creativity.

Because our brain looks for patterns to make shortcuts, we are naturally pre-wired to make a decision based on past experiences. This is the birthplace of our biases. And, if we’re in default mode — not stopping and considering what our biases might be — current beliefs will be confirmed or justified without further consideration.

The deleterious effects of cognitive bias

Over centuries, the world has drastically changed. As humans, however, we haven’t evolved nearly as quickly. Though the “energy-saving” mode within our brain can be incredibly beneficial — it’s fast, it’s efficient — quick, subconscious decision-making doesn’t always lead to the best case scenario.

It can make us overly quick to react and even irrational. This Wikipedia quote sums it up nicely:

“… cognitive biases may sometimes lead to perceptual distortion, inaccurate judgment, illogical interpretation, or what is broadly called irrationality.”

So we’re living in a brand new, fast-paced world with an old piece of machinery (i.e. our brain!). And though we can’t speed up our evolution, we need to be aware of our personal biases, so we can show up as our more ‘evolved selves’ for climate change.

Cognitive biases and the future of our environment

Though cognitive biases are unconscious, we need to be aware that they exist.

Why? Because our individual biases affect the way we make decisions. In Leyla Acaroglu’s words: Sustainability means making decisions today by which current and future generations are not adversely affected.

So, in a way, the future of our environment actually depends on this awareness.

Let’s talk about a few common cognitive biases. Specifically, the ones that directly affect our decision-making when it comes to the climate crisis. (And, therefore, the most relevant as to how we can move forward.)

The framing effect

The framing effect is one of the strongest cognitive biases, as it relates to how we perceive and react to the climate crisis. People are more likely to act in relation to a positive frame. What does this mean? Doomsday talks have a tendency to lead to anxiety, paralysis and inaction. Yet when things are framed in a positive light, inspired action is more likely to occur.

Loss aversion

This cognitive bias shares similarities with the sunk-cost fallacy. With loss aversion, we feel losing something (or giving it up) far outweighs gaining something else. Thus, we choose to avoid the loss.

Present bias

Present bias occurs when we favor a smaller reward today over a bigger reward in the future. For example, would most children you know prefer one piece of candy to enjoy right now or wait for two pieces tomorrow? Choosing the former is present bias. When it comes to the environment, this culminates in a lack of concern for future generations.

Sunk-cost fallacy

When you’ve invested a lot of energy (time, money, etc.) into something, it’s hard to cut your losses and change direction. Even if it’s the wrong decision to continue with the original endeavor, you may decide to stick with it simply because so much has already been ‘sunk’ (invested). This is the sunk-cost fallacy. Sticking to fossil fuel is an example of how it relates to our current environmental state.

Confirmation bias

Confirmation bias occurs when a person only looks for or notices information that will confirm their belief and dismisses other evidence. An easy example? Those who deny climate change.

If you want a list that defines over 100 types of cognitive biases, visit this Wikipedia page here.

So… what can we do?

We all perceive the climate crisis differently. Our cognitive biases shape our individual perspectives, how we make decisions, view the environment and interact with it. They influence if we take action and how we take action. Because of this, we are each looking through different lenses, at different worlds.

So… what can we do?

Our starting place is a simple one, yet one that will lead to immense change. We need to recognize that we — you, me, all of us — have unconscious biases that are guiding our perceptions, actions and inactions. Being mindful about it will lead to self-awareness. And self-awareness will allow us to check in… and check ourselves.

When we come up with any immediate reaction, let’s consider… is this a knee-jerk response based on past conditioning? Or have we actually thought it through, as well as its impact? We can even go further: Can we play devil’s advocate to challenge (and bring light to) our own unconscious biases?

Let’s continue asking more questions of ourselves. It’s easy to think monumental issues, like the future of our environment, exist outside of us. Though the change we really need begins within.