Climate action requires a deeper understanding of heterogeneity in pro-environmental behavior (PEB). This study investigates the neuroanatomical and psychological characteristics differentiating various PEB types. Using a clustering approach, we identified distinct PEB types based on real behavior (percentage of endowment donated to carbon offsetting platforms). Three types emerged that we labeled as low, middle, and high PEB types. These types were characterized by distinct neuroanatomical and psychological characteristics. The middle and high PEB types exhibited increased pro-environmental attitudes/values and increased volume in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) compared to the low PEB type. Additionally, increased volume in the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) uniquely differentiated the high from the middle PEB type. The TPJ and lateral PFC are known to be involved in perspective-taking and self-control, respectively. We suggest that increased TPJ volume might enable the middle and high PEB types to take the perspective of future others affected by climate change, thereby potentially motivating PEB. Moreover, we argue that the high PEB type's increased lateral PFC volume might indicate greater self-control capacities, possibly facilitating the translation of pro-environmental attitudes and values into action. By combining real PEB with neuroscientific methods, we hope that the present study furthers the understanding of different PEB types.
Baumgärtner et al. (Fri,) studied this question.