The success of mitigating climate change depends on actions taken within the
upcoming four decades. In Western societies, this timeframe coincides with a
demographic shift increasing the age of the median voter and decision maker.
The willingness to contribute to climate change mitigation may decrease with
age since the benefi ts may lie beyond the life span whereas the costs are
immediate. In several experimental studies, we investigate cognitive
limitations and motivational factors in relation to climate change mitigation.
In a fi rst set of studies subjects are given the chance to invest up to 10€
into the reduction of CO2 via the EU ETS. Contrary to theoretical
considerations, we fi nd evidence for a strong and positive effect of age.
Furthermore we show that social cues can be used to in uence contributions.
Moreover we demonstrate that independent of age most subjects are able to
understand complex stock flow problems if the mode of presentation is
adequate. System thinking ability is not firmly linked with a motivation to
contribute to climate change mitigation. In a training study we show however
that an increase of information about climate change can lead to a reduction
of contributions
