I was reading a book recently by Simon Sinek, 'Leaders Eat Last'. He talks about the Milgram experiment offers a powerful analogy for understanding human behavior in the context of the climate crisis. In the experiment, conducted by psychologist Stanley Milgram in the 1960s, a significant proportion of participants—around 65%—were willing to administer what they believed to be lethal electric shocks to another person, simply because they were instructed to do so by an authority figure. This phenomenon can be paralleled with how individuals and societies respond to the climate crisis.

In the climate crisis, the "shocks" we administer are the harmful impacts on the environment due to our lifestyle choices and industrial activities—carbon emissions, deforestation, pollution, and excessive consumption of resources. Like the participants in the Milgram experiment who didn't see the person they were "shocking," we often don't see the immediate effects of our actions on the environment. The harm is often distant, both in terms of geography and time. This detachment makes it easier to continue harmful behaviors, as the consequences are not immediately apparent or personally affecting.

Authority and societal norms play a crucial role, much like in the Milgram experiment. People often follow established patterns of behavior, endorsed by societal norms or driven by economic systems and policies that do not prioritize environmental sustainability. We trust that if such behaviors were truly harmful, authorities or the system would intervene or prohibit them, mirroring the trust Milgram's subjects had in the experimenter's authority.

However, just as some participants in the Milgram experiment refused to continue administering shocks, defying the authority figure, there's a growing awareness and movement towards environmental responsibility. People are increasingly questioning the status quo and taking personal and collective actions to mitigate climate change—reducing carbon footprints, advocating for green policies, and supporting sustainable practices.

Simon Sinek's call to evaluate our own inner guide to service and what is best for the world resonates here. He said that those of the experiment who did not administer lethal electrical shocks, said to have had a higher power or moral value that they held themselves to other than the scientist or the authority figure in the room. It's about recognizing our individual and collective responsibility towards the environment, understanding the long-term consequences of our actions, and making conscious choices that align with sustainable and ethical values. Just as the few who defied the authority in the Milgram experiment, it's about listening to our moral compass and acting in ways that contribute positively to the planet, even when these actions go against prevailing norms or immediate self-interest. This self-evaluation and action are critical in addressing the complex and urgent challenge of the climate crisis. 

You can learn more about the experiment here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment

We would love to hear your thoughts and comments. How do we as a society help our local leaders feel and understand the pain and suffering so many will experience if we do not act now to make great changes to solve the climate crisis and how do we ourselves, take stand to our own morals, not for a moment forgetting our why and our impact on future generations. 

This article was assisted by ChatGPT.