Study finds link between empathy and care for the environment

A study conducted by a team of researchers fromNanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has found that Singaporeans who score high levels of empathy choose to prioritize the environment over the convenience and comfort of both themselves and their families or co-workers.

Nearly eight out of 10 (79%) respondents to a series of surveys said they would prefer to buy an energy-efficient air conditioner over a conventional one, even though the latter was cheaper.

To cut down on carbon emissions, more than eight out of 10 (82%) would keep room temperatures at an optimal 23 degrees C to 25 degrees C, despite knowing their children or co-workers would be more comfortable with a cooler setting.

The researchers acknowledge that saving on utility bills is the main reason behind why people make energy-saving choices.

However, the findings presented a counterpoint to that notion. Their statistical analysis showed that respondents' preferences were associated with their level of empathy and that they would choose to spend more money to minimize their carbon footprint.

The findings are important in understanding Singaporeans' attitudes in relation to the country's efforts to reduce energy consumption in households, say the authors.Due to resource scarcity, the city-state has embarked on national initiatives such as theSingapore Green Plan 2030, which also focuses on energy sustainability for a more liveable and sustainable future.

The results of the joint study were published in Energy Research & Social Science, an academic publication by Elsevier.

NTU Associate Professor Georgios Christopoulos from the Nanyang Business School, who led the study, said: "As an illustration, imagine being a parent who is deciding between turning up the air conditioning to ensure that your child sleeps well, or choosing to keep at a 'recommended' setting to save electricity. It seemed obvious that a parent would prioritize his or her child's needs. However, we found the opposite—at least for Singaporeans. The more empathy a Singaporean has, the more likely he or she would consider the overall or long-term environmental or societal impact, ultimately choosing to forgo the child's comfort."

Swati Sharma, a Ph.D. student at NTU's Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme, who co-led the study, said: "The main driving force for this eco-friendly behavior is empathy, which we define as 'a basic human disposition to experience warmth and concern for others." The more empathy a Singaporean feels about others, the more likely he or she is to adopt behaviors that support the greater good and contribute to making Singapore a resilient and sustainable society."

The research team obtained the results after doing an experimental survey involving 520 resident Singaporeans. The sample included a large majority of homeowners (87%), close to Singapore's national figure (91%).

Other actions that constituted energy-saving behaviors included turning off electrical devices when not in use (89%) and opting for locally grown vegetables (62%) over those from Europe or the U.S. to cut down on their carbon footprint.

The team also noted that age, education, and being a homeowner affected preferences for energy-saving options. Singaporeans who were older, had higher education qualifications and owned public housing tended to prefer energy-saving options.

To further validate their research, the NTU team will conduct additional studies into a wider spectrum of behaviors, including those in response to environmental, organizational, urban, financial, and societal threats.

The team is also exploring the possibility of validating their findings in different geographical areas and cultural contexts, including people's attitudes towards measures to curb COVID-19.