A University of Ottawa survey finds opinions polarized by party affiliation more than ideology, with party rhetoric amplifying ideological differences. Rafael Aguirre, Stephen Bird and Monica Gattinger discuss the survey on the Policy Options website. What Canadians think about the future of oil and gas The past 12 months have roiled the global oil … Continue reading What do Canadians think about the role oil and gas should play in Canada’s energy future, and how polarised is the conversation?
Category: behaviour/attitudes
Strong consumer protections are necessary in Scotland as energy efficiency measures for homes become more complex
A news item on the Scottish Housing News website explains the steps that are taken to protect consumers as renovations become more ambitious. What is the situation in your country? Citizens Advice Scotland outlines plans to protect consumers in move to net-zero There remains a significant risk consumers who invest in energy efficiency measures … Continue reading Strong consumer protections are necessary in Scotland as energy efficiency measures for homes become more complex
At a meeting last year, oil industry leaders contradicted public claims that emissions of climate-warming methane are under control
Do oil companies have emissions under control or not? Hiroko Tabuchi writes on the New York Times website about a recording of a meeting of a group of energy company representatives that reveal their real views. A Secret Recording Reveals Oil Executives’ Private Views on Climate Change Last summer, oil and gas-industry groups were … Continue reading At a meeting last year, oil industry leaders contradicted public claims that emissions of climate-warming methane are under control
Climate change: explaining why it is so hard to change our behaviour
Neil King and Gabriel Borrud discuss with the German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk why it is so hard for us to change our behaviour in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. 'Humans are not prepared to protect nature' Why do we find it so hard to change our behavior? German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk explains … Continue reading Climate change: explaining why it is so hard to change our behaviour
Climate change: how the arts can help motivate us
Researchers say emotion, imagination needed to reach people in ways information alone cannot. A recent CBC radio broadcast looked at how the arts have a fundamental role in helping us address climate change. How the arts might help us grapple with climate change Information alone hasn't closed the gap between what we know and … Continue reading Climate change: how the arts can help motivate us
Climate change: delay is the new denial
Denying climate change has taken on a new approach. Stuart Capstick, Research Fellow in Psychology, at Cardiff University with a contribution by Julia K. Steinberger, Professor in Social Ecology and Ecological Economics at University of Leeds write on The Conversation that delay is the new denial and they explain how to spot the arguments. What … Continue reading Climate change: delay is the new denial
The homes of wealthy Americans are major engines of the climate crisis
It doesn’t come as any surprise that the rich use more energy and emit more GHG emissions than those less affluent but it is good to understand the differences. Recently an analysis took place in the US. Oliver Milman discusses this in an article on The Ecologist website. Affluent households energy intensive Wealthy Americans’ … Continue reading The homes of wealthy Americans are major engines of the climate crisis
Understanding how people decide to use less energy at home or at work is crucial to boost virtuous behaviours
Understanding how people decide to use less energy at home or at work is crucial to boost virtuous behaviours. Our reaction to any novelty is so complex that a lot of socio-psychological research has been done to try to make it more predictable. Gianluca Dotti discusses much of this research in an article on the … Continue reading Understanding how people decide to use less energy at home or at work is crucial to boost virtuous behaviours
How people perceive their personal energy use and the decisions they make in their daily lives
Understanding how people view their own energy consumption and how this impacts on reducing GHG emissions is crucial if we are to achieve our long-term objectives. Academic Shahzeen Attari studies the psychology behind energy use and our views of the climate problem. Chris Mooney interviewed her in an article on the Washington Post website. … Continue reading How people perceive their personal energy use and the decisions they make in their daily lives
Just how ready is each of us to undertake radical steps in our own lives to address climate change?
There’s overwhelming public acknowledgement that action has to be taken on climate change. But only a minority want to make changes to our lifestyle. Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation provided his views in the February issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. How Far Are You Prepared To Go? No … Continue reading Just how ready is each of us to undertake radical steps in our own lives to address climate change?
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 