001 // The environmentalists' Holy Grail: creating pro-environmental behaviour change

Kathryn Exon Smith -

What factors are most important in changing how individuals think about and act towards the environment? Katherine will draw on her work as the University's first Director of Sustainability and research conducted with her graduate students in food, clothing, water, and lifestyle choices to discuss which strategies hold high promise for the future.

Katherine is a Professor of Environmental Studies at SJSU and the Interim Executive Director of CommUniverCity San Jose.

The psychology of why some people aren’t saving water
A majority of Californians think water agencies should do more to save water during the drought, but many feel they can’t sacrifice more themselves.
Southern California Public RadioSouthern California Public Radio
How Data and Social Pressure Can Reduce Home Energy Use
With the relationship between utilities and their customers changing in unprecedented ways, new companies are deploying vast amounts of data and social psychology techniques to try to persuade people to use less electricity in their homes.
Yale E360Dave Levitan
No More “Nature-Deficit Disorder”
The “No Child Left Inside” movement.
Psychology TodayRichard Louv is a journalist and author of 10 books, including Last Child in the Woods and Our Wild Calling.

This salon took place March 4, 2018.