We live in a world characterized by different border-crossing environmental problems, such as loss of biodiversity, the spread of hazardous chemicals, and human-induced climate change. Because of the seriousness of these problems and the fact that all people, albeit to different degrees, influence these problems through their lifestyles, it has become increasingly important to understand what factors promote sustainable living across the lifespan. In addition, how people relate to these problems is closely associated to key issues dealt with by lifespan scholars, such as prosocial development and socialization.

This entry reviews three overarching areas of research in this field that are of special interest for lifespan scholars: What factors throughout childhood and adolescence are important for evolved environmental engagement later on in life? How do different ...