Social norms can accelerate or undermine climate action, new model finds

Share University of Waterloo-led research shows cultural attitudes in one region can unexpectedly influence climate action around the world A new mathematical model suggests that social norms may be just as important as economics in determining how the world responds to climate change. The research shows that efforts to reduce emissions in one region can unintentionally influence climate action elsewhere, with consequences that could either strengthen or weaken global progress. The model divides the world into five culturally and economically distinct regions and simulates how social norms, pe