Dr. Robert Gifford, professor of psychology at University of Victoria, notes structural and psychological obstacles exist that hinder behavioral efforts and suggests dragons of inaction are psychological barriers that limit climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Seven categories of psychological barriers, or “dragons of inaction”:
- limited cognition about the problem
- ideological worldviews that tend to preclude pro-environmental attitudes and behavior
- comparisons with key other people
- sunk costs and behavioral momentum
- discredence toward experts and authorities
- perceived risks of change
- positive but inadequate behavior change