In order to increase our likelihood of survival on this planet, some experts believe that we have around 12 years to make some relatively large changes to the rate at which we are burning fossil fuels and using natural resources. Others believe that we have already done irreparable damage to our ecosystem and that we are now fighting to minimize the devastating impacts of climate change. One thing is certain- We must act now!

In 1982, Skinner stated that “most thoughtful people agree that the world is in serious trouble.” He noted that fossil fuels are being burned, resources are overused, and the planet is becoming less habitable. The solutions to these problems is clear- limit our reliance on fossil fuels, change the products we use, and change the rate at which we use products.

The question isn’t what needs to be done?, but rather- why are we (the collective WE) not doing these things?

The problem, Skinner says, is that we are being asked to respond to variables that do not yet exist. He adds that:

• the more remote the predicted consequences are, the less likely we are to follow advice about that possible future.

• when the remote outcomes of our current behavior are punishing, we do our best to avoid/escape those outcomes- often by simply ignoring them.

• the immediate consequences to avoid remote outcomes is often punishment. For example- we’d ask people to stop using commodities, to slow levels of procreation, and to remove sources of security.

So how do we reinforce sustainable behaviors? The answer may lie in creating immediate contingencies that maintain sustainable behaviors- but how can we provide immediate reinforcement for engaging in behaviors that forego a reward in order to avoid a later punishment, or to accept a current punishment to gain a reward in the future? Cultural consequences have worked for behaviors such as smoking or unhealthy lifestyle choices and may also be effective for sustainability. It is our job to identify ways to make the immediate consequences fall in line with the long-term consequences.

But there’s more than just contingencies- there’s the impact of policy and policy makers. For me, the most important message in Skinner’s paper is this:

“In short, those who control the contingencies of reinforcement under which we all live show little sign of relinquishing their power for the sake of the species”.

If nothing else, this is a call to action. If those in power- those with the resources to make sustainable behavior the law of the land- are not willing to do so, we must put new people in power. We must arrange the environment to support sustainable behavior. This involves getting climate scientists and engineers and physicists and medical professionals- and behavior analysts- into positions where they can created and drive policies that do not put money in the pockets of the super rich, but create a world in which our children can breathe the air, drink the water, and live happy, healthy, and productive lives.

Brian Jadro, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D

Skinner, B. F. (1982). Why we are not acting to save the world. Paper presented: American Psychological Association.