Images of environmental destruction, from wildfires out west to recent flooding episodes across the country, would be enough to trigger emotional distress in most onlookers, but a study conducted by the University of Michigan suggests that those who are less triggered by photos of environmental devastation are less emotional overall. Psychology professor Stephanie Preston infers that the study’s results indicate that some people’s lack of concern for the environment may not be political or reflect a specific disinterest in the environment but instead a characteristic of their broader emotional repertoire.
