Emotions and climate change: The role of emotion regulation in climate action

Although there is strong evidence for the role of emotion in climate-mitigating behaviours (Brosch, 2021), little is known about the role of emotion regulation in climate action (Panno et al., 2015). Our studies (a correlational study and an experiment, conducted in 2022) investigated the effect of emotion regulation on emotional responses to climate change and the likelihood of taking climate-mitigating actions. In Study 1, 151 participants from the US and Canada read about the detrimental effects of climate change before recording their emotional responses, emotion regulation strategies used in response to climate change information, and climate actions (pro-environmental behaviours and civic engagement in environmental actions). Emotion regulation was a significant predictor of climate action even when controlling for demographic variables. In Study 2, 245 participants from the US watched a video on the negative consequences of climate change, rated their emotions, and were randomly assigned to distraction, worrying, or positive reappraisal in response to the video. Next, they were given the option to sign an environmental petition and donate money to an environmental organization, before rating their intentions to engage in climate actions. Distraction reduced negative emotion and positive reappraisal increased hope. The effects of emotion regulation on engagement in climate action were mixed. Exploratory mediation analyses indicated that worrying and reappraisal increased intentions to engage in climate action, via negative emotion. Further experimental research on the effects of emotion regulation on climate action will be important for informing communications about climate change, to protect mental health while motivating action.