Exploring the PCT CREST Project: A Journey with Lindsay Miller Part 2

If you missed it or need a refresher from Part 1, published in April, we encourage you to start by reading Exploring the PCT CREST Project: A Journey with Lindsay Miller for a Q&A introduction to who Lindsay is and why she started this project. 

In the face of increasing wildfires and extreme weather events linked to climate change, a pressing question arises: How do these events influence our perceptions of climate change and actions toward environmental protection? The PCT Class of 2022 Research on Environmental Support and Trends (CREST) Project, developed at the University of California Santa Barbara, set out to answer this by interviewing 66 Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hikers in 2022 and conducting an online survey. These hikers, exposed to the harsh realities of wildfires, provide a unique lens through which to explore the relationship between direct environmental experiences and pro-environmental behaviors.

Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of interviewing Lindsay Miller – the passionate hiker-researcher behind the project, and now we are thrilled to present some of the research findings from the 66 interviews (stay tuned to our social media accounts for findings from the online survey). In maintaining the Pacific Crest Trail as an inspirational outdoor experience, it is our intention that sharing this research will further encourage trail users to help care for and conserve the trail to the best of their abilities. The PCT experience is the sum total of all our efforts in helping protect it, and continuing to hold space for conversations that address the realities of climate change provides a meaningful pathway forward for action.

The Study

The PCT CREST Project conducted semi-structured interviews with hikers, delving into their experiences with wildfires, beliefs about climate change, pro-environmental behaviors, and social contexts. The study aimed to understand whether experiencing wildfires on the PCT could reduce the psychological distance of climate change and motivate hikers to act in more environmentally friendly ways.

Psychological distance refers to the perception of how close or far away something is, and this perception has significant implications for people’s attitudes and behaviors. In the context of climate change, psychological distance was broken down into four key dimensions: temporal distance, spatial distance, social distance, and hypothetical distance. Temporal distance involves the perceived time when an event will occur, with climate change often seen as a future problem. Spatial distance encompasses where the impact of climate change is occurring or expected to occur, often perceived as distant locations. Social distance relates to who will be affected by climate change, frequently seen as impacting other people or future generations. Hypothetical distance involves the uncertainty of whether climate change impacts will happen. These dimensions collectively influence how people think about and respond to climate change, with closer psychological distances generally leading to stronger attitudes and more proactive behaviors.

Key Takeaways

(1.) Climate Change Feels Closer: For PCT hikers, experiencing wildfires made climate change feel more immediate and personal, reducing the psychological distance often associated with such global issues.

(2.) Stronger Attitudes: Hikers who experienced wildfires reported increased concern and pessimism about the state of wilderness and reinforced beliefs in climate change.

(3.) Motivation to Act: While many hikers expressed a desire to engage in pro-environmental behaviors, both related to wildfires and more broadly, barriers such as helplessness and the belief in the insufficiency of individual actions persist.

(4.) Social Influence: Encouragement from others, especially fellow hikers, played a crucial role in motivating pro-environmental behaviors.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

The barriers to pro-environmental behaviors among PCT hikers who have experienced wildfires are multifaceted, ranging from psychological feelings of helplessness and inadequacy to practical challenges related to resource limitations and social norms. Addressing these barriers requires a comprehensive approach that acknowledges the unique challenges faced by this community. By providing more sustainable options, fostering a supportive and encouraging social environment, and finding ways to maintain a sense of urgency and responsibility beyond the trail, we can better support PCT hikers in their efforts to protect the environment on the trail and beyond. Overcoming these barriers is not just about individual action but also about creating a broader culture that values and prioritizes environmental sustainability.

The PCT CREST Project provides valuable insights into how exposure to environmental crises can shape our attitudes and behaviors. The study concludes that direct exposure to wildfires on the PCT can lead to stronger attitudes about climate change and wildfires and increased pro-environmental behaviors. However, barriers such as a sense of helplessness and the belief in the insufficiency of individual actions remain. As we face the growing challenges of climate change, understanding and addressing the psychological distance of climate change and social factors will be crucial in mobilizing a collective sense of responsibility and urgency in protecting the trail we love and our environment at large.

We encourage you to visit @pct_crest_project on Instagram for an inside look at how Lindsay documented her experiences on the trail in real time. To review the full project report, click here. You can also visit us on our socials over the coming weeks, as we will be sharing more participant testimonies and statistics gathered from the project.