scholarly journals Avoidance, Rationalization, and Denial: Defensive Self-Protection in the Face of Climate Change Negatively Predicts Pro-Environmental Behavior

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlis Wullenkord ◽  
Gerhard Reese
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
Political Orientation ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Factorial Structure ◽  
Outcome Severity ◽  
The Face ◽  
Protective Strategies ◽  
Self Protection

Despite urgent need for climate action, denial of climate change and resulting absence of appropriate pro-environmental behavior are widespread. Interpretive (recognition of climate change as a problem but re-interpretation of its severity) and implicatory denial of climate change (recognition of climate change as a problem but denial of psychological, political, and moral implications) can be interpreted as self-protective strategies people use to protect the self in the face of threat. However, research has usually considered individual self-protective strategies but has not integrated them into one comprehensive measure. The present research aimed at reviewing the existing literature and constructing the Climate Self-Protection Scale (CSPS) to assess climate-relevant defensive, self-protective strategies. In Study 1, N=354 Germans responded to a pool of items. Using exploratory main axis analysis, we identified a five-factorial structure of the measure, corresponding to the self-protective strategies rationalization, avoidance, denial of personal outcome severity, denial of global outcome severity, and denial of guilt. Study 2 (N=453 Germans) used confirmatory factor analysis to verify the five-factorial structure of the CSPS. Self-protective strategies were positively related with each other (except for avoidance and denial of guilt) and fit into a framework of interpretive (denial of global and personal outcome severity) and implicatory denial (rationalization, avoidance, denial of guilt). They related positively to male gender and right-wing political orientation, and negatively to various indicators of pro-environmentalism, even when controlling for covariates. This provides evidence of criterion and construct validity of the CSPS. In future research, the scale could be used as a tool to examine climate-relevant self-protective strategies further.

scholarly journals Place Attachment and Sustainable Communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maiss Razem
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Place Attachment ◽  
Global South ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sustainable Communities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The North ◽  
Urban Planning And Design ◽  
The Face

As cities in the developing nations are becoming urbanised at an accelerated pace and intensity, urban planners, design practitioners and policymakers conjoin efforts to satisfy the emergent needs. The design and construction of a sustainable built environment offers adaptive amelioration to the risks of climate change, which ostensibly affects the global South more than the North. Therefore, for developing cities to become sustainably urbanised and planned, socio-economic factors in addition to environmentally devised technological innovations should be comprehensively conceived, to become more consciously assimilated in urban planning and design of residential neighbourhoods in the global South. One of these social factors is place attachment, which has been gaining traction in the last three decades due to the role it plays in understanding the implications of human–place bonding on predicting behaviours, which in turn prepares communities to become resilient and sustainable in the face of possible risks, ranging from climate change displacement to environmental depletion of resources, economic constraints and social tensions. This paper explores the link between place attachment and the creation of more sustainable communities that are civically engaged and environmentally conscientious. As the dynamics of place attachment differ from one context to another, the study employs qualitative methods to mine the place attachment values of several residents of a neighbourhood in Amman, the capital city of Jordan. Through semi-structured interviews with a representative section of the residential communities and photographic documentation, the study analyses the findings from affective and cognitive perspectives, and evaluates their contribution to achieving sustainability. Based on the findings, the research proposes an agenda for future research directions in place attachment studies, providing empirical insight from the context of Jordan.

scholarly journals The Vulnerability of Rice Value Chains in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanen Terdoo ◽  
Giuseppe Feola
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Economic Globalization ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Development Policies ◽  
The Face ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract: Rice is one of the most important food crops in sub-Saharan Africa. Climate change, variability, and economic globalization threaten to disrupt rice value chains across the subcontinent, undermining their important role in economic development, food security, and poverty reduction. This paper maps existing research on the vulnerability of rice value chains, synthesizes the evidence and the risks posed by climate change and economic globalization, and discusses agriculture and rural development policies and their relevance for the vulnerability of rice value chains in sub-Saharan Africa. Important avenues for future research are identified. These include the impacts of multiple, simultaneous pressures on rice value chains, the effects of climate change and variability on parts of the value chain other than production, and the forms and extent to which different development policies hinder or enhance the resilience of rice value chains in the face of climatic and other pressures.

The implicit theories approach to the self‐monitoring controversy

1991 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith E. Larkin
Keyword(s):  
Implicit Theories ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
The Third ◽  
Factor Analytic ◽  
The Face ◽  
Theoretical Issues ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Personality Construct

In the face of uncertainty and disagreement about the meaning and measurement of the self‐monitoring construct, the author proposes an implicit theories approach to shed light on what self‐monitoring scales may be tapping. The first study explored people's notions of what high and low self‐monitors are like, based on the statements in the 18‐item Self‐Monitoring Scale (Gangestad and Snyder, 1985). The second study compared that measure with Lennox and Wolfe's (1984) Revised Self‐Monitoring Scale and examined defensive motivation within the scales. The third study consisted of two experiments to determine whether subjects perceived the items of Gangestad and Snyder's Self‐Monitoring Scale as reflecting a unitary latent entity or separate, contradictory variables. It was concluded that the implicit theories approach appears to be a useful complement to traditional factor analytic studies, providing new ways of looking at a personality construct, clarifying some theoretical issues, and generating hypotheses for future research.

scholarly journals Grand challenges for the 21st century: what crop models can and can't (yet) do

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
João Vasco Silva ◽  
Ken E. Giller
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Keyword Search ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Crop Modelling ◽  
Crop Models ◽  
Grand Challenges ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
The Face

Abstract Crop production is at the core of a ‘perfect storm’ encompassing the grand challenges of achieving food and nutrition security for all, in the face of climate change, while avoiding further conversion of natural habitats for agriculture and loss of biodiversity. Here, we explore current trends in crop modelling related to these grand challenges by reflecting on research presented at the Second International Crop Modelling Symposium (iCropM2020). A keyword search in the book of abstracts of the symposium revealed a strong focus on ‘climate change’, ‘adaptation’ and ‘impact assessment’ and much less on ‘food security’ or ‘policy’. Most research focused on field-level investigations and far fewer on farm(ing) systems levels – the levels at which management decisions are made by farmers. Experimentation is key to development and testing of crop models, yet the term ‘simulation’ outweighed by far the terms ‘experiments’ and ‘trials’, and few contributions dealt with model improvement. Cereals are intensively researched, whereas roots, tubers and tropical perennials are under-researched. Little attention is paid to nutrient limitations apart from nitrogen or to pests and diseases. The aforementioned aspects represent opportunities for future research where crop models can help in devising hypotheses and driving new experimentation. We must also ensure that crop models are fit for their intended purposes, especially if they are to provide advice to policymakers. The latter, together with cross-scale and interdisciplinary efforts with direct engagement of stakeholders are needed to address the grand challenges faced by food and agricultural systems in the next century.

Mainstreaming climate change into the EIA procedures: a perspective from China

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Gao
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Comparative Research ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
The Face ◽  
Legal Methodology ◽  
Breaking Work

Purpose In the face of climate change, environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) are expected to translate global or national mitigation and adaptation targets to project and plan levels of decision-making. This paper aims to examine how to transform China’s EIA procedures to accommodate consideration of climate change and what constraints might be for doing so. Design/methodology/approach The main methodology used in this paper is doctrinal research, which is the primary legal methodology to find the law and interpret and analyse the document. Theoretical research is applied to analyse the ideas and assumptions of the mainstreaming approach. Comparative research is done to consider relevant international experiences. Findings Despite well-founded rationale for the mainstreaming approach, entrenched institutional, legal and technical obstacles cannot be neglected in the context of China. Urgent needs to fix existing EIA/SEA loopholes and improve the general enabling environment are also highlighted as a fundamental aspect of mainstreaming. Originality/value The potential of mainstreaming climate change into China’s EIA procedures remains largely unexplored. As a ground-breaking work from China’s perspective, the findings of this paper can serve as an important foundation for future research from legal and other perspectives.

scholarly journals Can positive and self-transcendent emotions promote pro-environmental behavior?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Zelenski ◽  
Jessica Desrochers
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
Social Behaviors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Environmental Behaviors ◽  
Climate Change Research ◽  
Address Climate Change ◽  
Specific Hypothesis

Many scholars have suggested that people could improve their well-being by developing closer connections with nature, and that this would also promote the sustainable behaviors needed to address climate change. Research generally corroborates this idea, but few studies have examined the more specific hypothesis that positive emotions (caused by nature or otherwise) can directly influence pro-environmental behaviors. In particular, self-transcendent emotions such as awe, compassion, and gratitude can be prompted by nature, and they seem to foster pro-social behaviors. Most pro-environmental behaviors are also pro-social; they require cooperation and they benefit others. Some recent studies suggest that self-transcendent emotions can cause pro-environmental behavior, though results are mixed overall. We identify strategies for future research to resolve these inconclusive suggestions.

scholarly journals Amphibian ranaviruses in Europe: important directions for future research

FACETS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 598-614
Author(s):  
Lewis J. Campbell ◽  
Alice H. Pawlik ◽  
Xavier A. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Experimental Systems ◽  
The Face ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Potential Interactions ◽  
The Way

Ranaviruses are an emerging group of pathogens capable of infecting all cold-blooded vertebrates. In Europe, ranaviruses pose a particularly potent threat to wild amphibian populations. Since the 1980s research on amphibian-infecting ranaviruses in Europe has been growing. The wide distribution of amphibian populations in Europe, the ease with which many are monitored, and the tractable nature of counterpart ex situ experimental systems have provided researchers with a unique opportunity to study many aspects of host–ranavirus interactions in the wild. These characteristics of European amphibian populations will also enable researchers to lead the way as the field of host–ranavirus interactions progresses. In this review, we provide a summary of the current key knowledge regarding amphibian infecting ranaviruses throughout Europe. We then outline important areas of further research and suggest practical ways each could be pursued. We address the study of potential interactions between the amphibian microbiome and ranaviruses, how pollution may exacerbate ranaviral disease either as direct stressors of amphibians or indirect modification of the amphibian microbiome. Finally, we discuss the need for continued surveillance of ranaviral emergence in the face of climate change.

scholarly journals Climate change going deep: The effects of global climatic alterations on cave ecosystems

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 98-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Mammola ◽  
Elena Piano ◽  
Pedro Cardoso ◽  
Philippe Vernon ◽  
David Domínguez-Villar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Surface Species ◽  
Dead End ◽  
The Face ◽  
Closed Systems ◽  
Genes To Ecosystems ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Holding Back ◽  
Subterranean Species

Scientists of different disciplines have recognized the valuable role of terrestrial caves as ideal natural laboratories in which to study multiple eco-evolutionary processes, from genes to ecosystems. Because caves and other subterranean habitats are semi-closed systems characterized by a remarkable thermal stability, they should also represent insightful systems for understanding the effects of climate change on biodiversity in situ. Whilst a number of recent advances have demonstrated how promising this fast-moving field of research could be, a lack of synthesis is possibly holding back the adoption of caves as standard models for the study of the recent climatic alteration. By linking literature focusing on physics, geology, biology and ecology, we illustrate the rationale supporting the use of subterranean habitats as laboratories for studies of global change biology. We initially discuss the direct relationship between external and internal temperature, the stability of the subterranean climate and the dynamics of its alteration in an anthropogenic climate change perspective. Owing to their evolution in a stable environment, subterranean species are expected to exhibit low tolerance to climatic perturbations and could theoretically cope with such changes only by shifting their distributional range or by adapting to the new environmental conditions. However, they should have more obstacles to overcome than surface species in such shifts, and therefore could be more prone to local extinction. In the face of rapid climate change, subterranean habitats can be seen as refugia for some surface species, but at the same time they may turn into dead-end traps for some of their current obligate inhabitants. Together with other species living in confined habitats, we argue that subterranean species are particularly sensitive to climate change, and we stress the urgent need for future research, monitoring programs and conservation measures.

Succulent Intracalvarium Enclosing and Protecting the Brain of a Falling Gecko

2013 ◽  
Vol 461 ◽  
pp. 641-647
Author(s):  
Jing Dan Shao ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
Wen Bo Wang ◽  
Zhen Dong Dai ◽  
Xu Xia Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
The Self ◽  
Internal Environment ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
The Face ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Self Protection ◽  
The Brain

Geckos are able to crawl or even run on the wall and the ceiling, but have to be in the face of the risk of falling down due to fatigue or a slip. From the opinion of natural selection and evolution, geckos must possess certain characteristics to prevent themselves especially their head from injury caused by impacting the ground. In this study, we looked into geckos brain to investigate their internal environment and structure, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). By means of volume integrating the brain parenchyma and the cerebrospinal fluid separately, we found that the intracalvarium is full of the cerebrospinal fluid, up to 45% in volume. And the brain parenchyma is surrounded by the cerebrospinal fluid. This implies the self-protection function of geckos brain appropriate to geckos behavior. The cerebrospinal fluid plays a buffer role in the risk of falling down to protect brain.

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