Cognitive Dissonance: John Sterman on Understanding Climate Change

Climate change is a complex problem. Even bright minds become confused when simultaneously presented with consequences that are potentially catastrophic and the feeling that there’s nothing they can do about it. But there are ways of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and it's how we think about global warming that seems to be impeding action. John Sterman, a professor of management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Michael J. Crouch Visiting Professor at the Australian School of Business, has been studying why people have difficulty understanding the dynamics of the climate. He sees a way to reframe the issue and has devised simulation tools to assist in forming opinions and policies consistent with people's values. Sterman recently spoke with Knowledge@Australian School of Business.