Professor Brosch, there has been increasing talk of sustainability in recent years: green energy, responsible food choices, etc. But what does adopting sustainable behaviour actually mean in practical terms?
Sustainable behaviour aims to satisfy one's own needs while preserving the resources necessary for future generations. It is a balance between personal well-being and collective responsibility.
How does this translate into everyday life?
Let's take an example: I am very mobile and I love to travel. I don't want to limit myself to holidays in Switzerland, I want to discover faraway countries. But this raises questions in terms of sustainability: at what point do my travels become excessive? At what point do they harm others, particularly future generations?
What are the challenges in embedding sustainable behaviour in everyday life?
First of all, we must recognise the undeniable progress that has already been made. However, the challenge remains immense: efforts are not yet widespread. Too often, responsibility is passed from one actor to another: politicians to industrialists, industrialists to politicians, creating a vicious circle. Everyone must be aware of their role in this transformation.
You mentioned during your lecture that psychology alone is not enough. With which other discipline(s) do you see potential for fruitful collaboration?
Psychology is a pivotal science, but it needs to step outside its comfort zone. Collaborating with environmental sciences, for example, would provide a better understanding of certain technical issues (e.g. how energy systems work). By understanding such issues, psychology could better identify where behavioural changes are possible. Sociology and political science would also play a crucial role. In a democracy, change requires the election of people capable of bringing about this transformation.
So there is still a lot to be done...
Yes, and the lack of information is a major obstacle. Few people know what the most effective measures are in terms of sustainability. If we knew, it would make us uncomfortable. For example: I recycle my yoghurt pots, I eat a steak every week and I fly every two months. Studies are clear: giving up air travel is an effective weapon in the fight against global warming. Yet it seems difficult to do without it... Emotionally and motivationally, we find it hard to give up what we already have. Human beings find it difficult to break with their habits.
