Category: behaviour/attitudes

The need to engage all consumers in our low carbon energy transition

If we are to meet (and hopefully surpass) our 2015 Paris climate objectives, then we have to ensure all energy users are empowered to change. Even though we need to achieve a fast transition away from our current fossil-fuelled energy system, we also need residential and commercial energy users to implement energy efficiency measures and … Continue reading The need to engage all consumers in our low carbon energy transition →

Consumers are warned that their behaviour will have to change if Scotland is to meet its long-term low-carbon objectives

Finally, a government minister has explained that we cannot continue our current ways if we are to effectively meet our long-term climate and energy objectives. Roseanna Cunningham, Environment Secretary in Scotland, said people changing their behaviour would be “critical” for the country to have any chance of ending its contribution to global warming within 25 … Continue reading Consumers are warned that their behaviour will have to change if Scotland is to meet its long-term low-carbon objectives →

Optimism is powerful but in discussing our environment some pessimism can also be a useful tool

So, what are you? An optimist or a pessimist? No, no need to answer. But it is good to think about this when discussing our approach to the environment. Dominic McAfee and Sean Connell from the University of Adelaide together with Zoe Doubleday of the University of South Australia explain their reasons in an article … Continue reading Optimism is powerful but in discussing our environment some pessimism can also be a useful tool →

Evangelical Christians starting to take new approach to climate change

Conservative Christians have long opposed climate science, saying human induced warming goes against God’s omnipotence. Opinions divide on whether that thinking might slowly be changing. Shay Meinecke discusses in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. God and the earth: Evangelical take on climate change When Reverend Mitchell Hescox organized an environmental stewardship conference for … Continue reading Evangelical Christians starting to take new approach to climate change →

Are you a fluid thinker? A Prius or wine? Or possibly both?

Sometimes one needs to read an article that just takes a different slant on life.  Dave McIntyre writes a good article in the Washington Post about your wine choice. Even if you are having a dry January, you should enjoy. What your wine choices say about the way you think “You’re a fluid thinker,” my … Continue reading Are you a fluid thinker? A Prius or wine? Or possibly both? →

How one family is following a low-carbon lifestyle

Undoubtedly, this low-carbon energy transition makes us wonder what it means for us.  Tereza Stastna writes on the Deutsche Welle website about the efforts of one family in Berlin. It ends with a very good quote we should all reflect on: "It's not just a project, and it's not a game," she says. "Our kids … Continue reading How one family is following a low-carbon lifestyle →

The power of positive stories in addressing climate change

Stories with positive role models and which focus on the positive outcomes of solutions are much more likely to inspire action to solve it, says Denise Baden, Associate Professor in Business Ethics at the University of Southampton. She explains in an article on The Conversation website.   Environmental storytelling can help spread big ideas for … Continue reading The power of positive stories in addressing climate change →

In advance of publication from UN climate science panel, one expert raises concerns about public apathy

Leo Barasi, author of The Climate Majority: Apathy and Action in an Age of Nationalism, published by New Internationalist, writes in the Guardian about the effect of public apathy concerning climate change. As he writes: “Persuading people to cut down on things they enjoy for the sake of the climate might seem impossible.”  However, we … Continue reading In advance of publication from UN climate science panel, one expert raises concerns about public apathy →

New Irish report shows that people can be nudged into doing their bit to save the planet

This summer Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) published a report by its Behavioural Economics Unit entitled Changing energy behaviour – what works? It is a good question to explore.  Conor Pope writes an article in the Irish Times about it.   ‘A lot of people genuinely care about the environment’ Most people, when asked if they … Continue reading New Irish report shows that people can be nudged into doing their bit to save the planet →