scholarly journals Imagining a Sustainable World: Measuring Cognitive Alternatives to the Environmental Status Quo

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua D. Wright ◽  
Michael T. Schmitt
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Social Identity ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
Initial Scale ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change ◽  
Additional Variance ◽  
Willingness To Engage

We build on social identity models of environmental collective action by considering the role ofpeople’s access to cognitive alternatives to the environmental status quo. We developed a new measure of cognitive alternatives to the environmental status quo, and examined its ability to predict environmental activist identification and willingness to engage in environmental activism. In Study 1 (N = 386), we developed the initial scale, and found evidence for its reliability and validity. The ability to imagine cognitive alternatives was associated with other relevant social identity and environmental variables including perceived legitimacy of the current environmental status quo, pro-environmental consumer and activist behavior, and beliefs in anthropogenic climate change. In Study 2 (N = 393), we confirmed the factor structure of the scale and found that it was a strong predictor of environmental activist identification, explaining variance beyond extensive control variables including identification with nature. It also explained additional variance in willingness to engage in activist behavior beyond even environmental activist identification. Our results suggest that the ability to imagine cognitive alternatives to the environmental status quo might have important implications for whether people engage in pro-environmental collection action to mitigate climate-change and other environmental problems.

scholarly journals Access to Environmental Cognitive Alternatives Predicts Pro-Environmental Activist Behavior

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua D. Wright ◽  
Michael T. Schmitt ◽  
Caroline Mei Li Mackay
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Social Identity ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Environmental Identity ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
The Status ◽  
Canadian Survey ◽  
Willingness To Engage

We extend social identity models of pro-environmental collective action by expanding on the plausible role of access to cognitive alternatives to the environmental status quo (i.e., the ability of people to imagine what a sustainable relationship with nature would look like). Using a representative Canadian survey on age, gender, and ethnicity (N = 1029) we evaluate the associations between access to environmental cognitive alternatives and politicized environmental identity and willingness to engage in pro-environmental activist behavior. Additionally, we extend research using exclusively self-reported outcomes by giving participants the opportunity to write and sign a pro-environmental letter to the Canadian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. Our results suggest that envisioning specific ways in which the status quo can be changed is associated with stronger politicized environmental identity, greater willingness to engage in pro-environmental activist behavior, and increased likelihood of writing and signing a pro-environmental letter to the Canadian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. All methods and analyses follow our preregistration (https://osf.io/b56ry) and all materials and data are openly available (https://osf.io/24yeq/).

scholarly journals Access to Environmental Cognitive Alternatives Predicts Pro-Environmental Activist Behavior

2021 ◽  
pp. 001391652110650
Author(s):  
Joshua D. Wright ◽  
Michael T. Schmitt ◽  
Caroline M. L. Mackay
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Environmental Identity ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
Willingness To Engage

We expand on the plausible role of access to cognitive alternatives to the environmental status quo (i.e., the ability of people to imagine what a sustainable relationship with nature would look like) in motivating pro-environmental collective action. Using a representative sample of Canadians on age, gender, and ethnicity ( N = 1,029) we evaluate the associations between access to environmental cognitive alternatives, politicized environmental identity, and willingness to engage in pro-environmental activist behavior. Additionally, we move beyond self-reported behavior by giving participants the opportunity to write and sign a pro-environmental letter to the Canadian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. Our results suggest that access to cognitive alternatives is associated with stronger politicized environmental identity, greater willingness to engage in pro-environmental activist behavior, and increased likelihood of writing and signing a pro-environmental letter. All methods and analyses follow our preregistration and all materials and data are openly available.

scholarly journals Environmental Education to Change the Consumption Model and Curb Climate Change

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7475
Author(s):  
Leticia-Concepción Velasco-Martínez ◽  
Juan-Jesús Martín-Jaime ◽  
Ligia-Isabel Estrada-Vidal ◽  
Juan-Carlos Tójar-Hurtado
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Education ◽  
Compulsory Education ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Consumption Model ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change

Environmental education plays a fundamental role in the fight against climate change and the transformation towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly socio-economic model. This study shows how to evaluate the effectiveness of a program for compulsory education students in Spain. The subject of the program focused on the effects of climate change in relation to our consumption model and the generation of waste. A mixed research methodology is proposed that combines a quantitative (10 items on the Likert scale, n = 714) and qualitative approach (category construction and analysis on open-ended questions). A study of the reliability and validity of the measure was carried out through a categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA). The multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) correlates the gender and educational level of the students to the learning acquired in the program. For example, the results show how students are convinced that adopting minimal pro-environmental habits (turning off lights and unplugging electronics, choosing public transport to get around, or using solar and wind power to produce electricity) can help mitigate climate change. The conclusions show the difficulties and challenges of education for responsible consumption, emphasizing the development of environmental education programs for reducing the effects of climate change.

Responding to Climate Change Disaster

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanda Jetten ◽  
Kelly S. Fielding ◽  
Charlie R. Crimston ◽  
Frank Mols ◽  
S. Alexander Haslam
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Social Change ◽  
Social Identity ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Shared Identity ◽  
The Status ◽  
Identity Based ◽  
Tackle Climate Change ◽  
Post Disaster

Abstract. Climate change-induced disasters (e.g., bushfires, droughts, and flooding) occur more frequently and with greater intensity than in previous decades. Disasters can at times fuel social change but that is not guaranteed. To understand whether disasters lead to status quo maintenance or social change, we propose a model (Social Identity Model of Post-Disaster Action; SIMPDA) which focuses on the role of leadership in the aftermath of a disaster. Looking specifically at climate change-related disasters, we propose that intragroup and intergroup dynamics in both the pre-disaster as well as the post-disaster context affect whether leadership (a) has the potential to mobilize social identity resources to enable social change, or else (b) fails to capitalize on emerging social identity resources in ways that ultimately maintain the status quo. Given the importance of urgent climate change action, we predict that status quo maintenance is associated with post-disaster paralysis. In contrast, social change that is set in train by capitalizing on social identity-based resources holds the promise of greater post-disaster learning and enhanced disaster preparedness when it is focused on addressing the challenges brought about by climate change. We apply this model to understand responses to the 2019/2020 bushfires in Australia. Our analysis suggests that while an emerging sense of shared identity centered on acting to tackle climate change provides a window of opportunity for securing increased disaster preparedness, this opportunity risks being missed due to, among other things, the absence of leaders able and willing to engage in constructive identity-based leadership.

scholarly journals A Measurement Tool for the Assessment of Farmers’ Perception about Impact of Changing Climate on Agriculture in India

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-127
Author(s):  
Rohit Shelar ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Environmental Problem ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Rating Method ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change

Changing climate is a serious environmental problem affecting agricultural productivity at global level. It is important to study the perceptions of farmers’ towards changing climate and its impact on agriculture as it is one of the strong interpreters of changing farmers’ behaviour to mitigate climate change and adopt adequate and appropriate measures to ensure agricultural production. For the construction of the scale to measure the farmers’ perception, summating rating method suggested by Likart (1932) was followed. Based on review of literature 79 statements were enlisted initially and 21 statements were finalized for the final construction of the scale. The reliability and validity of the scale was calculated to find out the precision and consistency of the results. This scale will be helpful for interested policy makers, academicians and researchers who willing to study the farmers’ perceptions about climate change and its impact on agriculture.

scholarly journals A Scale to Measure Farmers’ Risk Perceptions about Climate Change and Its Impact on Agriculture

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Rupan Raghuvanshi ◽  
Mohammad Aslam Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
State Government ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Vulnerability To Climate Change ◽  
Risk Management Strategies

Climate change has emerged as one of the key determinants of agricultural productivity. Risks perceptions of farmers’ towards climate change and its impact on agriculture are said to be a strong predictor of their behavioural intentions to climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.  Consequently, measuring farmers’ perception about risks associated with climate change is of paramount importance and needs to be studied so that appropriate adaptation measures could be undertaken to mitigate the productivity losses. The present study was an attempt to develop a scale to measure the farmers risk perception about climate change which could be used by researchers. Likert’s summated rating technique was followed for the construction of perception scale. The process started with selection of 30 statements on the bases of Mean Relevancy Weightage (MRW) scores; and the statements were given to 30 farmers in four purposively selected villages (based on their degree of vulnerability to climate change as determined by a State government Report) in Kumaon division Uttarakhand, a North Himalayan state of India which is perennially susceptible to climate change risks and uncertainties. The scale developed finally consisted of 20 statements. The reliability and validity of the scale was computed to find out the precision and consistency of the results. This scale will be useful for researchers and academicians studying farmers’ perceptions towards climate change and its impact on agriculture. It would also be useful for policy makers for developing risk management strategies.

scholarly journals Public Awareness: What Climate Change Scientists Should Consider

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8369
Author(s):  
Mohammad Rahimi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Connected Network ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
Valuable Addition ◽  
Scientific Approach ◽  
Design Solutions ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change

In this Opinion, the importance of public awareness to design solutions to mitigate climate change issues is highlighted. A large-scale acknowledgment of the climate change consequences has great potential to build social momentum. Momentum, in turn, builds motivation and demand, which can be leveraged to develop a multi-scale strategy to tackle the issue. The pursuit of public awareness is a valuable addition to the scientific approach to addressing climate change issues. The Opinion is concluded by providing strategies on how to effectively raise public awareness on climate change-related topics through an integrated, well-connected network of mavens (e.g., scientists) and connectors (e.g., social media influencers).

scholarly journals Open Intellectual Property Models for Plant Innovations in the Context of New Breeding Technologies

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1218
Author(s):  
Michael A. Kock
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Intellectual Property ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change ◽  
New Breeding Technologies

Plant related innovations are critical to enable of food security and mitigate climate change. New breeding technologies (NBTs) based on emerging genome editing technologies like CRISPR/Cas will facilitate “breeding-by-editing” and enable complex breeding targets—like climate resilience or water use efficiency—in shorter time and at lower costs. However, NBTs will also lead to an unprecedented patent complexity. This paper discusses implications and potential solutions for open innovation models.

scholarly journals Simulating Agroforestry Adoption in Rural Indonesia: The Potential of Trees on Farms for Livelihoods and Environment

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 385
Author(s):  
Beatrice Nöldeke ◽  
Etti Winter ◽  
Yves Laumonier ◽  
Trifosa Simamora
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Scenario ◽  
Agroforestry System ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Change Scenario ◽  
Trees On Farms ◽  
Agroforestry Adoption ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

In recent years, agroforestry has gained increasing attention as an option to simultaneously alleviate poverty, provide ecological benefits, and mitigate climate change. The present study simulates small-scale farmers’ agroforestry adoption decisions to investigate the consequences for livelihoods and the environment over time. To explore the interdependencies between agroforestry adoption, livelihoods, and the environment, an agent-based model adjusted to a case study area in rural Indonesia was implemented. Thereby, the model compares different scenarios, including a climate change scenario. The agroforestry system under investigation consists of an illipe (Shorea stenoptera) rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) mix, which are both locally valued tree species. The simulations reveal that farmers who adopt agroforestry diversify their livelihood portfolio while increasing income. Additionally, the model predicts environmental benefits: enhanced biodiversity and higher carbon sequestration in the landscape. The benefits of agroforestry for livelihoods and nature gain particular importance in the climate change scenario. The results therefore provide policy-makers and practitioners with insights into the dynamic economic and environmental advantages of promoting agroforestry.

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