Don't Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change

Don't Even Think About It examines why humans struggle to engage with climate change despite overwhelming scientific evidence. Through interviews with psychologists, scientists, and activists, Marshall explores the cognitive biases and social dynamics that lead people to avoid or deny this critical issue. The book analyzes how climate change challenges our brain's evolved capacity to detect and respond to threats. Marshall investigates why climate science can trigger resistance rather than action, and how cultural narratives and social identity shape our perceptions of environmental risk. By examining successful and failed climate communication strategies, Marshall presents insights into more effective ways to discuss and address climate change. He draws from fields including neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and sociology to explain human behavior around this global challenge. The work raises fundamental questions about human nature and our capacity to respond to long-term, collective threats that lack immediate personal consequences. Through its examination of psychological barriers, the book offers a framework for understanding why climate action remains difficult despite its urgency.

Readers found this book explains psychological barriers to climate change action through relatable examples and interviews. Many noted it provides clear explanations for why people reject or ignore climate science, even when presented with facts. Readers appreciated: - Accessible writing style for complex psychological concepts - Practical solutions and communication strategies - Balance between scientific research and real-world examples Common criticisms: - Repetitive points throughout chapters - Too much focus on US/UK perspectives - Some readers wanted more concrete action steps - Structure feels disorganized at times "Helps understand why smart people reject climate science" - Amazon reviewer "Could have been shorter without losing impact" - Goodreads review Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (40+ ratings) The book resonates most with readers seeking to understand climate change communication barriers rather than those wanting detailed climate science.

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The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt Research-based exploration of moral psychology reveals how people form beliefs and resist contradictory information.

The Knowledge Illusion by Steven Sloman, Philip Fernbach Cognitive scientists demonstrate how humans navigate complexity through shared knowledge while overestimating their individual understanding.

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Nobel laureate presents decades of research on cognitive biases and decision-making processes that shape human judgment.

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert Investigation of past mass extinctions and current environmental crisis illuminates human resistance to recognizing long-term ecological threats.

🌍 George Marshall interviewed over 200 people for this book, including climate scientists, activists, and skeptics, across multiple countries and political affiliations. ⚡ The book's title was inspired by research showing that when people are reminded of their mortality, they become less likely to engage with long-term threats like climate change. 🧠 Marshall co-founded Climate Outreach, Europe's leading climate change communication organization, which has worked with the UN and World Bank on climate messaging strategies. 📊 Research cited in the book shows that higher levels of scientific literacy and numerical capability don't necessarily lead to greater concern about climate change - in fact, sometimes the opposite occurs. 🗣️ The book explores how climate change shares many psychological characteristics with death - both are abstract, distant threats that humans have evolved to push out of their immediate consciousness.