Single-action bias

We all want to do something, anything. We don’t just want to sit idle and watch events unfold around us. Call it “action bias.”

Then there’s “single-action bias.”

We all want to do something, anything, but once we’ve done that one thing, we move on. For something as intractable and complex as global warming, that’s a real problem.

Yes, replace your inefficient incandescent light bulb with more efficient compact fluorescent ones, but don’t believe for a second that single action solved the problem.

Recycle. Just don’t think it’ll stop global warming. Make the planet notice.

For daily musings like these, take a look at EDF economist Gernot Wagner’s personal blog.