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Climate change and behavior change continues to be a leadership challenge

Commentary by Lt. Col. Kirk Rowe, Clinical Neuropsychologist
96th Medical Group

11/9/2009 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. —
As a clinical neuropsychologist who has studied the intricacies of how the human brain is wired for a living for the last 16 years, it still remains fascinating to observe why change is so hard to accept, especially when facts and negative consequences are within clear view. The negative effects of driving under the influence of alcohol, smoking, and obesity are abundantly clear; however, many people continue to engage in these behaviors.

A similar issue is America’s enormous energy appetite that continues to feed the insidious encroachment of climate change. With world leaders meeting in Copenhagen in December to make decisions about what to do about human influenced climate change, the fact that many people don’t believe that the climate is changing due to human activities is a huge hurdle in moving forward with action. To move away from fossil fuels toward renewable and alternative resources may appear to be a daunting task because it requires people to change their mind. However, often times in the change process, the most difficult step is the realization that change is needed.

SNIP

Pooling together our nation’s resources to help the environment and America’s economy makes a better solution. At work in your organizations, the same holds true - gathering the resources of your team and developing a cohesive strategy makes a more effective and successful mission.

If we accept the data and follow the lead of the rest of the world, the solutions will come. There are many resources online. For example, review the CNA report at For more information about what you can do on an individual level to address the changing climate and curb your energy use, please visit the Department of Energy’s website at energy.gov