scholarly journals Anthropogenic climate change: how to understand the weak links between scientific evidence, public perception, and low-carbon practices

2016 ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Engels
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Anthropogenic Climate Change ◽  
Weak Links ◽  
Low Carbon

Political Preferences, Personality Traits, and Environmentalism

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair Soutter ◽  
René Mõttus
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Environmental Attitudes ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Political Orientation ◽  
Anthropogenic Climate Change ◽  
Political Preferences ◽  
Party Voting

Although the scientific evidence of anthropogenic climate change continues to grow, public discourse still reflects a high level of scepticism and political polarisation towards anthropogenic climate change. In this study (N = 499) we attempted to replicate and expand upon an earlier finding that environmental terminology (“climate change” versus “global warming”) could partly explain political polarisation in environmental scepticism (Schuldt, Konrath, & Schwarz, 2011). Participants completed a series of online questionnaires assessing personality traits, political preferences, belief in environmental phenomenon, and various pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours. Those with a Conservative political orientation and/or party voting believed less in both climate change and global warming compared to those with a Liberal orientation and/or party voting. Furthermore, there was an interaction between continuously measured political orientation, but not party voting, and question wording on beliefs in environmental phenomena. Personality traits did not confound these effects. Furthermore, continuously measured political orientation was associated with pro-environmental attitudes, after controlling for personality traits, age, gender, area lived in, income, and education. The personality domains of Openness, and Conscientiousness, were consistently associated with pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours, whereas Agreeableness was associated with pro-environmental attitudes but not with behaviours. This study highlights the importance of examining personality traits and political preferences together and suggests ways in which policy interventions can best be optimised to account for these individual differences.

scholarly journals Rapidly declining remarkability of temperature anomalies may obscure public perception of climate change

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (11) ◽  
pp. 4905-4910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances C. Moore ◽  
Nick Obradovich ◽  
Flavio Lehner ◽  
Patrick Baylis
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Absolute Temperature ◽  
Anthropogenic Climate Change ◽  
Temperature Anomalies ◽  
Shifting Baseline ◽  
Negative Sentiment

The changing global climate is producing increasingly unusual weather relative to preindustrial conditions. In an absolute sense, these changing conditions constitute direct evidence of anthropogenic climate change. However, human evaluation of weather as either normal or abnormal will also be influenced by a range of factors including expectations, memory limitations, and cognitive biases. Here we show that experience of weather in recent years—rather than longer historical periods—determines the climatic baseline against which current weather is evaluated, potentially obscuring public recognition of anthropogenic climate change. We employ variation in decadal trends in temperature at weekly and county resolution over the continental United States, combined with discussion of the weather drawn from over 2 billion social media posts. These data indicate that the remarkability of particular temperatures changes rapidly with repeated exposure. Using sentiment analysis tools, we provide evidence for a “boiling frog” effect: The declining noteworthiness of historically extreme temperatures is not accompanied by a decline in the negative sentiment that they induce, indicating that social normalization of extreme conditions rather than adaptation is driving these results. Using climate model projections we show that, despite large increases in absolute temperature, anomalies relative to our empirically estimated shifting baseline are small and not clearly distinguishable from zero throughout the 21st century.

Making the Climate a Part of the Human World

2011 ◽  
Vol 92 (10) ◽  
pp. 1297-1302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon D. Donner
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Climate Science ◽  
Anthropogenic Climate Change ◽  
Outreach Programs ◽  
The Public ◽  
Weather And Climate ◽  
Human World ◽  
City States

Doubts about the scientific evidence for anthropogenic climate change persist among the general public, particularly in North America, despite overwhelming consensus in the scientific community about the human influence on the climate system. The public uncertainty may be rooted in the belief, held by many cultures across the planet, that the climate is not directly influenced by people. The belief in divine control of weather and climate can, in some cases, be traced back to the development of agriculture and the early city-states. Drawing upon evidence from anthropology, theology, and communication studies, this article suggests that in many regions this deeply ingrained belief may limit public acceptance of the evidence for anthropogenic climate change. Successful climate change education and outreach programs should be designed to help overcome perceived conflict between climate science and long-held cultural beliefs, drawing upon lessons from communication and education regarding other potentially divisive subjects, such as evolution.

scholarly journals Anthropogenic climate change coverage in two Canadian newspapers : the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail, from 1988-2007

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina Marie Ahchong
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
News Media ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Anthropogenic Climate Change ◽  
Public Issues ◽  
Regional Newspaper ◽  
The Way

Media portrayal of current events can influence public perception and the actions that policy and decision makers take with regard to these events. This study applied a content analysis to explore variations in the way Canadian news media depicted anthropogenic climate change by employing an approach previously used by Liu, Vedlitz and Alston (2008). This research applied their existing methodology to both the regional and national levels of media in a Canadian setting. Climate change articles from two newspapers published between 1988 and 2007, the Toronto Star, a regional newspaper, and the Globe and Mail, a national newspaper, were obtained. They were examined for aspects of climate change, including salience, image, scope, country representation, participants, and the origins of scientific information that was presented in the articles. Differences in the way climate change is portrayed between the newspapers at regional and national levels are also examined. Overall, climate change is portrayed similarly in the two newspapers as a large-scale (national and global) problem, despite the differences in audience scope. The Toronto Star exhibits a more national perspective with respect to climate change although it is a regional newspaper. Attention paid by the media to climate change increases from 1988-2007. Climate change is predominantly depicted in both newspapers as a destructive issue. There are linkages to other public issues, including those in international co-operation, science research and development, and energy and transportation. The analysis reveals that a number of non-government and government actors are concerned with climate change and a wider array of interest groups is becoming involved. Finally, the majority of the solution strategies presented in the articles focus on mitigation techniques, as opposed to adaptation strategies.

Prevention of Air Pollution for Sustainable Environment

2019 ◽  
pp. 264-283
Author(s):  
Md. Mahfuzar Rahman Chowdhury
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Atmospheric Transport ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Sustainable Environment ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Air pollution is the natural processes caused by human activities through which certain substances enter the atmosphere at a sufficient concentration to cause environmental pollution. The World Health Organization reported that 80% of the world's cases of heart disease and stroke deaths were due to air pollution, and a total of 7 million people in the world died of air pollution in 2012. Unplanned urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural activities contribute to air pollution. Climate change affects air pollution in a number of factors including changes in temperature, solar radiation, humidity, precipitation, atmospheric transport, and biogenic emissions. Increasing scientific evidence shows that air pollution and climate change policies must be integrated to achieve sustainable development and a low carbon (LC) society. Combined efforts to deal with air pollution and climate issues at the urban level will be particularly important as most people are exposed to air pollution, and 75% of global GHG emissions are generated in urban areas.

Cities Demanding the Earth

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Taylor ◽  
Geoff O'Brien ◽  
Phil O'Keefe
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Anthropogenic Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable City ◽  
Jane Jacobs ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Change Policy ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
The City

Current climate change policy is necessary but insufficient. This is because the basic modus operandi – presenting scientific evidence to states for them to take action - misrepresents the complex process of anthropogenic climate change. The ‘anthropo’ bit is neglected in a misconceived supply-side (carbon) interpretation. The key question is, why is there so much demand for this carbon in the first place? This book introduces a demand-side interpretation bringing cities to the fore as central players in both generating climate changes and for finding solutions. Jane Jacobs’ urban analysis is combined with William F. Ruddiman’s historical tracing of greenhouse gases to provide a new understanding and narrative of anthropogenic climate change. The conclusion is that we are locked into a path to terminal consumption, which is accelerating as a consequence of Chinese urban growth, historically unprecedented in its sheer scale. To counter this we need to harness the power of cities in new ways, to steer urban demand away from its current destructive path. This is nothing less than re-inventing the city: not mitigation (the resilient city, necessary but not sufficient), not adaptation (sustainable city, also necessary but not sufficient) but stewardship, a process of dynamic stability creating the posterity city in sync with nature.

scholarly journals Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Health to Better Manage Adaptation Action

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
Clare Heaviside
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Anthropogenic Climate Change ◽  
Climate Research ◽  
Research Communities ◽  
Adaptation Action ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

The atmospheric and climate research communities have made significant advances in recent decades in gathering and understanding the scientific evidence supporting the concept of anthropogenic climate change [...]

scholarly journals Carbon-Capability Framework for Malaysia: Towards Encouraging Low-Carbon Community Lifestyles

2015 ◽  
Vol 747 ◽  
pp. 290-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ani Shazwani Abas ◽  
Mohd Yazid Mohd Yunos ◽  
Nor Kalsum Mohd Isa ◽  
Nor Atiah Ismail ◽  
Faziawati Abdul Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Human Welfare ◽  
Review Ofthe

Human welfare is increasingly affected by the climate change impacts where more scientific evidence has pointed to a significant human contribution as the most contributing factors. Lately, the concept of ‘carbon-capability’ has been proposed recently to get the relative meanings related to carbon and individual power and enthusiasm to cut emissions. Thus, this paper aims to present a review ofthe theoretical framework and identifies the need for more specific components underlying the community carbon-capability. This study analyzes by using content analysis and based in part on related earlier study. The paper concludes thatcommunity carbon-capability framework's ability to help in reducing climate change impactsand highlighted the vital to understanding community engagement with overall climate change issues in Malaysia.

scholarly journals An Assessment of Whether a Carbon Neutral  Initiative Can Successfully Be implemented at  Victoria University of Wellington

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Tushara Kodikara
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Anthropogenic Climate Change ◽  
Agents Of Change ◽  
Carbon Neutral ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Responsibility Model ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The University

<p>The scientific evidence is now in no doubt - anthropogenic climate change has created a severe global problem and demands an urgent global response. The origin of anthropogenic climate change lies in the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). Avoiding serious climate change will require reductions in GHG emissions from all sources. Universities can demonstrate leadership in this area by not only conducting research and teaching about climate change, but also by going further and starting to manage and mitigate their own impact on the climate. This thesis assesses whether Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) can become carbon neutral and therefore have no net impact on climate change. Applying a  corporate social responsibility model, the interface between the universities as teaching and research institutes and agents of change is investigated. This way, the opportunities, benefits and barriers in place for the university to become carbon neutral are identified and a framework to implement this initiative is developed. The research found several potential short-term and enlightened self-interest benefits available to VUW in becoming carbon neutral. Despite this, many barriers will need to be overcome to achieve neutrality. The main obstacle is gaining a firm commitment from the University Council and senior management. If this commitment is achieved, then VUW is in a strong position to demonstrate leadership both at the level of the local Wellington community and nationally.</p>

scholarly journals Socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of low carbon technologies under rice production systems in China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhong-Du Chen ◽  
fu chen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Rice Production ◽  
Hunan Province ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Production Area ◽  
Low Carbon Technologies

Abstract Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) is the prominent cereal crop in Hunan Province (HP), which is a major rice production area in China. Rice production, such as farmers’ livelihood and the soil quality, has been identified to be influenced by climate change. Low carbon technologies (LCTs) have been identified to tackle agricultural challenges; however, the benefits of LCTs for farmers in rice production are still debatable. The choice of potential LCTs relevant to the case study is based on a literature review of previous empirical studies. Thus, the objective of the study were to 1) investigate the public perception and preferences of LCTs in rice production of HP, and 2) analyze the influences of the factors on farmer’s decision in adopting LCTs in rice production. There were 555 farmer surveys from eight representative rice production counties in HP, both the poisson estimators and multivariate probit approach were applied in the study. Our results show that water-saving irrigation, integrated pest management techniques and planting green manure crops in winter season were the three major LCTs adapted by farmers in rice production in HP. Both the intensity and probability of the adoptions of LCTs were affected by the main factors including farmers’ education level, climate change awareness, machinery ownership, technical support and subsidies. There is a significant correlation among the LCTs, and the adoption of the technologies is interdependent, depicting either complementarities or substitutabilities between the practices. This study suggests that policies enhance the integration of LCTs would be central to farmers’ knowledge, environmental concerns, technical service and financial support in rice production systems in China.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document