Positivity and collective climate action
Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: Climate change and environmental degradation are amongst the most pressing issues facing humankind of our time. Concerted collective action is needed to tackle them. This includes a range of domains and behaviours from the support of pro-environmental policies to climate activism. Much research has highlighted the important role that a positive approach to climate messaging and communication can have on individual behaviour. Taking this promising line of research forward, this review examines the role of positivity in collective climate action. I first delineate the terms collective action and positivity as used in this review. I then summarise recent empirical findings at the intersection of positivity and collective climate action, organised by the type of positivity-related concept investigated. These are, in particular, hope, efficacy, and positive future visions. Finally, I offer suggestions for future research to stimulate further investigation into the promising role of positivity for collective climate action in the years ahead. • Recent research suggests a link between positivity and collective climate action. • Hope, efficacy and positive futures have been highlighted in particular. • Future research areas include long-term effects and real-world behavioural outcomes. • In addition, deepening of conceptual delineations and theory integration. • Emotion-specificity and context-dependence should be considered.
Author: Claudia R Schneider
Institution: University of Canterbury
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,360
OpenAlex ID: W4410020203