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Intergroup Conflict Over Climate Change: Problems and Solutions.

  • Published In: European Journal of Social Psychology, 2025, v. 55, n. 2. P. 243 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Hornsey, Matthew J.; Fielding, Kelly S.; Marshall, George; Louis, Winnifred R. 3 of 3

Abstract

Global progress in combatting climate change is being slowed by intergroup conflict and tribalism. Addressing the intergroup tensions of today is a pre‐requisite for avoiding violent intergroup tensions in the future, tensions that may threaten societal structures we currently take for granted. This paper highlights five sources of intergroup conflict that compromise humans' ability to effectively and swiftly respond to climate change: political tribalism, populist suspicion of elites, regional differences within nations, international conflicts, and tensions between and within activist identities. We then draw on established and emerging social psychological theorising to describe five strategies for constructively managing this intergroup conflict: maintaining climate justice, reducing disinformation and silencing bad‐faith actors, maintaining cohesion among progressive forces, focusing on trusted messengers, and empathic communication. Throughout we underscore the extent to which policy making and strategic communication can play roles in depolarising debate about climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:European Journal of Social Psychology. 2025/03, Vol. 55, Issue 2, p243
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Biography
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0046-2772
  • DOI:10.1002/ejsp.3127
  • Accession Number:184014390
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of European Journal of Social Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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