The art of the cognitive war to save the planet

Major and urgent behavioral change is required to address the unprecedented environmental challenges facing civilization on Earth. Individuals striving to free themselves from the biophysical constraints of life with material gain only strengthen their collective dependence on natural life support systems. Human belief networks from ancient to modern times are studied to point out factors of success and failure rooted in the mental representations of the dilemma in human–environment interaction. The analysis provides cognitive grounds for a major revision of climate change communication and highlights the need for technology-oriented policy programs with a clearly focused message on saving our civilization.