Earth and Habitat (Commonwealth Union) _ Recent research into public perception of climate change initiatives reveals a strong support for low-carbon lifestyles, but a significant barrier exists: widespread inaction undermining public belief in the possibility of a low-carbon future. This study, conducted by the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations, examines how political and media narratives, described as ‘discourses of delay,’ affect the public’s climate change perceptions in the UK.
Dr. Catherine Cherry from Cardiff University’s School of Psychology and the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations highlights the urgency of addressing climate change: “With global temperatures continuing to rise, limiting warming to as close to 1.5°C as possible represents an enormous challenge, requiring a wholescale transformation across every sector of society. We urgently need to find new ways of living.”
‘Discourses of delay’ refer to arguments in political and media discussions that justify inadequate mitigation efforts. The study finds that these narratives significantly shape public perception, creating a false sense of security about current climate actions. Conducted between December 2020 and January 2021, the study engaged participants from Manchester, Aberdeen, and the South-West of England.
The findings reveal that the public exhibits overconfidence in current climate actions due to long-standing environmental messages, leading to a belief that small personal actions are sufficient. There is a defensiveness against radical changes such as reduced meat consumption or less flying, driven by concerns over personal freedom and fairness. Additionally, a pervasive sense of hopelessness exists, making people believe that meaningful change is impossible.
Dr. Cherry emphasizes the need for new public engagement approaches: “We found that despite strong public support for many low-carbon lifestyle strategies, delay and inaction are limiting beliefs that a fair, low-carbon future is even possible. We argue that countering these narratives, and the defensive responses they invoke, is essential for achieving meaningful public action on climate change.”
The researchers advocate for involving the public in co-creating positive and fair visions of a sustainable future through deliberative processes like Citizens’ Assemblies. This method could build public support for climate policies and foster a sense of climate citizenship, thereby weakening the ‘discourse of delay.’
Understanding public opinion on climate change is critical, especially during elections and political campaigning. Dr. Cherry concludes, “By understanding how ‘discourses of delay’ impact the public’s investment in a more sustainable future, we can then focus on messaging from political and media debate to ensure that everyone – from politicians to the general public – invest in climate action.”
