3 results
14 - Participation and Learning for Climate Change Adaptation
- Edited by Karen O'Brien, Universitetet i Oslo, Elin Selboe, Universitetet i Oslo
-
- Book:
- The Adaptive Challenge of Climate Change
- Published online:
- 05 August 2015
- Print publication:
- 07 August 2015, pp 252-270
-
- Chapter
- Export citation
4 - Collage processes and citizens' visions for the future
-
- By Bernd Kasemir, Research fellow John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Urs Dahinden, Lecturer Institute of Mass Communication and Media Research (IPMZ), University of Zurich, Switzerland, Åsa Gerger Swartling, Research Associate Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Sweden, Daniela Schibli, Research Assistant Institute for Social Planning and Social Management (ISS), University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland, Ralf Schüle, Researcher and Project Manager Darmstadt University of Technology (Department of Sociology), Darmstadt, Germany, David Tàbara, Associated Lecturer Environmental Management, Pompeu Fabra University of Barcelona and Environmental Sociology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Carlo C. Jaeger, Head of the Social Systems Department Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK); Professor Modelling Social Systems, University of Potsdam
- Edited by Bernd Kasemir, Harvard University, Massachusetts, Jill Jäger, International Human Dimensions Programme, Bonn, Carlo C. Jaeger, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Matthew T. Gardner, Biogen Inc.
- Foreword by William C. Clark, Harvard University, Massachusetts, Alexander Wokaun, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
-
- Book:
- Public Participation in Sustainability Science
- Published online:
- 22 September 2009
- Print publication:
- 10 April 2003, pp 81-104
-
- Chapter
- Export citation
-
Summary
Introduction
In order to respond effectively to the challenge of preparing a sustainability transition, major changes in the socio-economic system of modern society will have to be envisaged. Some earlier and simpler environmental problems could be tackled, for example, by reducing toxic by-products of a few production processes. However, responses to prospects of, for example, climate change will require large shifts right at the heart of our industrialized cultures, especially in the manner in which we use energy and produce greenhouse gases in the process. Referring to reduction scenarios discussed in the context of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Kempton (1991) has stressed that “if world leaders decide to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds, such a large reduction will require consumer and worker co-operation as well as citizen consent that major societal changes are worth the effort.” Responses to global environmental change will only be effective if they have clear public support.
Understanding the reactions of citizens to prospects of climate change and related policy options is thus a central element in developing effective climate policies. Studies on this issue can build upon a large body of research on environmental consciousness and behavior in general (see, e.g., the comprehensive overview by Brand 1997). In the last few decades, a variety of studies have focused specifically on perceptions of climate change issues (see, e.g., the overview by Jaeger et al. 1993; and by Thompson and Rayner 1998).
6 - Citizens' reports on climate strategies
-
- By Cristina Querol, Analyst Governance and Sustainable Development, International Institute on Governance (IIG), Barcelona, Spain, Åsa Gerger Swartling, Research Associate Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Sweden, Bernd Kasemir, Research fellow John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, David Tàbara, Associated Lecturer Environmental Management, Pompeu Fabra University of Barcelona and Environmental Sociology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)
- Edited by Bernd Kasemir, Harvard University, Massachusetts, Jill Jäger, International Human Dimensions Programme, Bonn, Carlo C. Jaeger, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Matthew T. Gardner, Biogen Inc.
- Foreword by William C. Clark, Harvard University, Massachusetts, Alexander Wokaun, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
-
- Book:
- Public Participation in Sustainability Science
- Published online:
- 22 September 2009
- Print publication:
- 10 April 2003, pp 126-152
-
- Chapter
- Export citation
-
Summary
Introduction
Citizens' perceptions of climate change have been explored in various empirical studies with quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Dunlap (1998) explored lay perceptions and levels of understanding of climate change in six countries with a quantitative poll. In order to understand perceptions of climate change, Kempton (1991) compared lay perceptions with those of scientists in the US with a qualitative technique, while Bell (1994) looked at differences between media and public discourses on climate change. Other studies can be found in Lőfstedt (1992) and in Read (1994). In the study discussed here, however, the objective was not to look at the perceptions of the lay public per se but to study in which ways citizens can provide reflected and informed opinions, and participate in sustainability science in general and in Integrated Assessments (IA) in particular.
For this purpose, IA Focus Group procedures (see Chapter 1) were developed in the ULYSSES project. While in the first two phases of these procedures collages were produced and models were used (see the discussions in Chapters 4 and 5), the final phase of the IA Focus Groups was mainly devoted to the formulation of citizens' reports – written assessments by the participants themselves. These were usually prepared by first drafting steps and discussions in earlier sessions. What is the problem? What should be done? How should it be achieved? Who should do it? Which barriers are foreseen? These are some of the questions discussed by the participants and addressed in their citizens' reports.