Climate change is often described as one of the most significant threats to humanity. Despite this, many people don’t seem to prioritize it. Why is that? To understand this, we can look at Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which explains human motivation.
Maslow’s hierarchy is a pyramid that starts with basic needs at the bottom and moves up to more complex needs at the top. At the base are physiological needs like oxygen, sleep, water, and food—essentials for survival. Next are safety needs, which include health, security, and employment. Above that is the need for love and belonging, such as friendships and family connections. Then come esteem needs, like respect and recognition. At the very top is self-actualization, the desire to achieve one’s full potential.
For many people, focusing on climate change is a higher-level concern that they can’t address until their basic needs are met. When someone is struggling with personal relationships, financial stability, or basic survival, worrying about global warming might not seem urgent.
Currently, around 700 million people live on less than $2 a day, facing challenges like lack of education, malnutrition, and homelessness. These immediate threats often take priority over climate concerns. For those whose basic needs are met, like celebrities or wealthy individuals, there’s more room to focus on issues like climate change.
Another reason for the lack of urgency is doubt. Early predictions about climate change haven’t always come true, leading to skepticism. Coastal cities are still above water, and grocery stores are stocked. This can make the threat seem less real.
Climate change has also become a politically charged topic, which can affect how people perceive the science behind it. Some actions, like recycling or driving electric cars, might be more about appearing virtuous than making a real impact.
So, how can we encourage more people to care about climate change? The answer lies in addressing the fundamental needs at the bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy. By improving our quality of life, health, education, and relationships, we can create a foundation that allows us to focus on broader issues.
Start by taking care of your basic needs: drink clean water, get enough sleep, eat healthy food, and exercise. Build strong relationships with family and friends, and seek a meaningful purpose in life. By improving ourselves, we can contribute to a better world.
As Gandhi said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” By changing our mindset, we can change our actions and ultimately transform the world around us.
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Reflect on your own life and identify where you currently stand in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Create a chart or diagram that outlines your basic, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs. Consider how meeting these needs might influence your perspective on climate change.
Participate in a classroom debate on whether climate change should be prioritized over immediate personal needs. Use evidence from the article and other sources to support your arguments. This will help you understand different perspectives and the complexities of human motivation.
Research how different countries are addressing both basic human needs and climate change. Present your findings in a report or presentation, highlighting how addressing fundamental needs can pave the way for climate action.
Engage in a role-playing exercise where you assume the role of a policymaker, celebrity, or activist. Develop a plan to motivate others to care about climate change, considering their position in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of someone living in a situation where basic needs are not met. Explore how this impacts their ability to focus on climate change, and propose solutions that could help them prioritize environmental issues.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Today’s episode is brought to you by Audible. Climate change might be one of the biggest threats facing humanity. Many people have heard that significant changes are needed to avoid dire consequences. So why is there a lack of urgency? Why don’t more people seem to care?
We often see celebrities and politicians warning us about the impending crisis, but the reality is that the average person may not prioritize climate change. This can be understood through Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which explains the psychology behind human motivation. At the base of the pyramid are our physiological needs—basic things necessary for survival, such as oxygen, sleep, water, and food. Above that are safety needs, including health, security, employment, and resources. Next is the need for love, which encompasses friendships, intimacy, family, and connection. Following that are esteem needs, such as status, respect, freedom, and recognition. At the very top of the pyramid is self-actualization, the desire to reach one’s fullest potential.
As we examine this hierarchy, it becomes clear that the most fundamental needs must be met before individuals can focus on higher purposes. The need to address climate change is at the top of the pyramid, but many people cannot pursue this higher purpose until their basic needs are satisfied.
Can someone truly worry about global warming when they are struggling with personal relationships, financial stability, or basic survival? Currently, around 700 million people worldwide live on less than $2 a day, and many others are facing various challenges, including lack of education, malnutrition, mental health issues, homelessness, addiction, and more. Each individual is dealing with their own struggles, and our psychology prioritizes immediate threats to survival.
For individuals like celebrities or wealthy entrepreneurs, their needs are met, allowing them to focus on existential issues like climate change. However, for most people, these concerns are not yet pressing. Our homes are not underwater, we have access to food and water, and many enjoy warmer weather, which historically has been associated with abundance.
Doubt is another significant factor contributing to the lack of concern about climate change. Many early predictions have not materialized, leading to skepticism. Coastal cities remain above water, and grocery stores continue to stock produce. While scientists and politicians warn about invisible threats, life often continues as usual.
Moreover, climate change has become a politically charged issue, which can undermine the integrity of the science involved. Even those who express concern about global warming may not genuinely care; their actions, such as recycling or driving electric cars, can sometimes be more about appearing virtuous than about making a real impact.
We wanted to create a video that does not bombard you with alarming statistics or facts aimed at convincing you of the reality of climate change. Instead, we recognize that these issues often feel beyond our control, and personal struggles can seem more immediate.
So, what is the solution? How can we encourage people to care about issues that extend beyond their personal challenges? The answer lies in addressing the fundamental needs at the bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy. We can all strive for a better quality of life, health, education, and positive relationships.
Caring for our planet should not be limited to a privileged few; it is possible for everyone to have their needs met. Start by focusing on your basic needs: drink clean water, get proper sleep, eat healthy food, and exercise. Work on building strong relationships with family and friends, and seek a meaningful purpose in life.
The key takeaway is that by improving ourselves, we can contribute to a better world. As Gandhi said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Our greatness lies not in remaking the world but in remaking ourselves. If we change our mindset, we can change our feelings and actions, ultimately transforming the world around us.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Audible. Audible has the largest selection of audiobooks available, including bestsellers, motivational content, mysteries, thrillers, memoirs, and more. We highly recommend listening to the profound wisdom of Eckhart Tolle. You can start listening for free by visiting audible.com/afterschool or texting “afterschool” to 500-500. Enjoy listening on any device, anytime, anywhere—whether at home, at the gym, or during your commute.
For more interesting videos like this one, please subscribe.
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This version maintains the core message while removing any potentially sensitive or controversial language.
Climate – The long-term patterns and averages of temperature, humidity, wind, etc., in a particular area, which can influence human behavior and mental health. – The changing climate has been linked to increased anxiety and stress levels in communities facing extreme weather events.
Change – The process through which something becomes different, often used to describe shifts in behavior or environmental conditions. – Understanding the psychological impact of environmental change is crucial for developing effective adaptation strategies.
Motivation – The internal and external factors that stimulate individuals to take action towards achieving a goal. – Environmental education programs aim to increase motivation among students to engage in sustainable practices.
Needs – Basic requirements for human survival and well-being, which can be influenced by environmental factors. – Addressing the psychological needs of individuals during natural disasters is essential for effective recovery efforts.
Hierarchy – A system in which elements are ranked above one another, often used to describe the prioritization of needs or values. – Maslow’s hierarchy of needs suggests that environmental stability is foundational for achieving higher psychological well-being.
Education – The process of acquiring knowledge and skills, which can be a tool for promoting environmental awareness and psychological resilience. – Environmental education plays a crucial role in shaping students’ attitudes towards conservation and sustainability.
Relationships – The connections and interactions between individuals or groups, which can be influenced by environmental and psychological factors. – Strong community relationships are vital for collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
Survival – The ability to continue living or existing, often in the face of environmental or psychological challenges. – Developing coping strategies is essential for psychological survival in the face of climate-related stressors.
Skepticism – An attitude of doubt or questioning, often applied to claims or theories, including those related to environmental science. – Skepticism about climate change can hinder efforts to implement necessary environmental policies.
Solutions – Methods or strategies for solving a problem, often used in the context of addressing environmental or psychological issues. – Innovative solutions are needed to mitigate the psychological impacts of environmental degradation.
