ABSTRACT
Although people are sensitive to what they think are beneficial or detrimental choices, most behaviours seem to be driven by mere repetition and habit rather than by conscious deliberation of costs and benefits. This also holds for behaviours that have a potential impact on our natural environment. In this chapter, I first discuss models of environmental behaviour. I then focus on the repetitive nature of behaviour. I will outline why old, unsustainable habits form barriers to change, but I will stress also that there exist opportunities to turn new, sustainable behaviours into habits. Finally, I argue that as climate change requires drastic changes in behaviour amongst large sections of our societies, time is running out to wait for people to change their values and attitudes, and measures are necessary that directly regulate behaviour. Psychologists may have much to offer in making this happen in socially acceptable ways.
