🌍 Even small differences in how we communicate about climate change can shape people’s behavior. In a study we showed that even the tense used matters for climate action. 🧵
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We conducted an experiment with two groups, each given a text (in German) about the future impacts of climate change:
Group 1 in present tense: e.g. “In 2050, there are more droughts.” (possible tense in German)
Group 2 in future tense: e.g. “In 2050, there will be more droughts.”
A statement like “In 2050, there are more droughts” might feel like a fixed fact—leaving people feeling powerless to act.
In contrast, “In 2050, there will be more droughts” implies uncertainty and the possibility of change, potentially fostering hope and motivating action.
We need more research to better understand the role of hope and language used. But our results show that how we frame the future—down to the verb tense—can influence whether people feel empowered to support environmental causes. 🌱
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Group 1 in present tense: e.g. “In 2050, there are more droughts.” (possible tense in German)
Group 2 in future tense: e.g. “In 2050, there will be more droughts.”
Surprisingly, those who read the future-tense text invested more in tree planting than those who read the present-tense version.
One possible explanation for our results is: hope.
In contrast, “In 2050, there will be more droughts” implies uncertainty and the possibility of change, potentially fostering hope and motivating action.