A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal
Not evolved to save the planet, yet capable to promote pro-environmental action leveraging human nature
Authors: Varella, Marco Antonio Correa; Novaes, Felipe Carvalho; da Silva, Ramon Felipe Bicudo; Romero, Renato de Mei; Goncalves, Paulo Henrique Santos; Moura, Joelson Moreno Brito de; Silva, Risoneide Henriques da; Coelho, Matheus Adriano Ferreira; Costa, Joao Vitor Rodrigues; Silva Jr, Mauro Dias; Rantala, Markus J.; Vuorinen, Katariina Elsa Maria
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Publishing place: LAUSANNE
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Frontiers in Psychology
Journal name in source: Frontiers in Psychology
Journal acronym: FRONT PSYCHOL
Article number: 1571765
Volume: 16
Number of pages: 18
eISSN: 1664-1078
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1571765
Web address : https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1571765
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499704353
Anthropogenic environmental issues, from global warming to pollution, biodiversity loss, and natural resources depletion, require immediate action. Yet, inaction remains pervasive, and pro-environmental psychological interventions have, at best, yielded modest, short-lived effects. In this article, we argue that the development of more effective interventions could be aided by more nuanced discussion around two pervasive misguided assumptions: That human nature is inherently environmentally friendly, thus naturally inclined toward sustainability unless distorted by modern socioeconomic systems; on the other hand, that human nature is inherently destructive, posing a fundamental barrier to environmental action. We critically examine these presuppositions, their foundations, as well as their pro- and counterarguments, and argue that both are oversimplifications which overlook the current understanding on biological, evolutionary and behavioral sciences, disregarding its contextual nature. Many native populations have overexploited their resources, yet modern evolutionary psychology does not support the notion that human nature would be inherently unfit for environmental action. Evolved behavioral tendencies interact with socioeconomic environments which can lead to the relational properties of environmental destruction as well as to protection. Their high behavioral variability, interactivity, calibration, flexibility, plasticity, and co-optability enable a wide range of sustainable actions. Rather than seeing biological and evolutionary aspects as inherently pessimistic or optimistic per se, we call for more research which appropriately integrates behavioral biology and evolutionary psychology so that we can avoid the above-described erroneous presuppositions as well as related Moralistic and Naturalistic Fallacies. We also argue toward a more nuanced understanding of human nature, and thus design more effective interventions which fit our biological predispositions. Furthermore, promoting education, ethical control and responsible journalism may help to avoid fostering these misguided assumptions about human nature. We conclude that evolved, universal psychological tendencies neither justify inaction nor make sustainability unattainable. Instead, correctly understanding human nature serves as a crucial foundation for guiding us toward designing effective and lasting sustainable practices.
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Funding information in the publication:
The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. MV was supported by CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), number 385620/2023-3. RaS was supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), process numbers 2022/16002-1; 2023/15877-7. JC received a scholarship from CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), process number 131212/2024-9.
