This directly correlates with higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere as a result of anthropogenic activities, starting around the industrial revolution (1740), that emit CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHGs).
This difference between the effects on certain areas of the world are key to understanding the role of psychological distance in environmental issues.
[6] According to the construal level theory (CLT), psychological distance from an event, issue or object is directly linked to the way that an individual or group of people mentally represent it.
[8] According to Social Representations Theory (SRT), individuals apprehend unfamiliar risks (such as climate change) through symbols and iconic images that are presented in a socio-cultural context.
SRT further demonstrates the way in which risk representations of climate change contrast globally and are mainly shaped by the local environment of an individual or group of people.
[8] The phenomenon of psychological distance then decreases the public's ability to address and mitigate the effects of climate change.
[6] For example, an abstract construal level will likely lead to climate change being perceived as psychologically distant, which may result in dissension of the problem and unwillingness to tackle the issue.
[6] Making the issue of climate change more localized, more relevant and more urgent will help to reduce the estrangement by people and help to increase pro-environmental behaviors.
[7] In terms of psychological distancing, the concept of goal setting theory would suggest that in order to counteract climate change, specific goals and/or policies that clearly state actions needed to be taken by governments, companies, the public, individuals, etc., would create a more concrete construal for the public, despite their psychological distance.