Mortality; literally, threats to our existence.

The "Terror Management Theory" states that any information that makes us aware of our own mortality provokes profound anxiety. Perhaps not surprisingly, we don't like to think about dying.

Blocked, thwarted.

For instance, if power companies regulated the amount of daily electricity that each household could use, or individuals were allotted a specific amount of gasoline each month, then a regulatory body like the government could control resource use. It is likely that people would quickly learn to conserve and use the resource more efficiently.

Inhibit, reduce.

Children whose parents modeled respect and appreciation for nature, or those who hiked, camped, or otherwise interacted with "the great outdoors" often grow up with a concern for environmental protection.

The Industrial Revolution about 200 years ago introduced factories, various chemical processes, and other technologies that altered society and our relationship with the natural world.

Reluctant or slow.

The conflict between short- and long-term interests. Short-term benefits usually outweigh long-term costs, and short- term costs often discourage action, even when it would lead to long-term benefits.

Human-caused.

Facilities and systems. For example, public transit is more energy efficient than driving personal cars, but many communities don't have bus or train service.

The social and cultural context; i.e., what other people are doing.

Actions that oppose a goal.

Not what you would expect.