ABC News climate reporter Bill Blakemore said the public should focus on the ways in which it can combat global warming rather than worry about the specific effects of climate change such as greenhouse gases and warming ocean currents at a lecture Wednesday.
Blakemore said global warming is dangerous and progressing faster than expected, but humans can slow down its progression by changing their current habits that contribute to global warming.
""It's about what will humans do,"" Blakemore said. ""That means it's a psychology story.""
He said the United States is not as active in combating global warming as other nations and regions around the world are, specifically China and Europe.
This lack of action, according to Blakemore, is largely due to many Americans remaining in denial about global warming, which he said is undeniably influenced by humans.
But Blakemore said he is optimistic about humans' role in stalling global warming because of our unique ""ability to play.""
""[Playing] is the way that evolution chose to keep brains flexible and able to come up with new ideas,"" Blakemore said.
He said the ability to associate work with fun allows humans to generate innovative and effective techniques to overcome problems.
Blakemore said moving forward, the determining factor will be facilitating cooperation between different regions of the world to slow global warming.
""We wouldn't be in this trouble if it weren't for the fact that the scientists, energy makers, policy makers and public didn't talk to each other 40 years ago,"" Blakemore said. ""We've got to connect those stove pipes now.""
