{"id":343,"date":"2022-09-17T14:45:48","date_gmt":"2022-09-17T14:45:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theclimatebook.org\/?page_id=343"},"modified":"2022-11-01T12:58:56","modified_gmt":"2022-11-01T12:58:56","slug":"5-2-individual-action-social-transformation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/theclimatebook.org\/en-us\/endnotes\/what-we-must-do-now\/5-2-individual-action-social-transformation\/","title":{"rendered":"5.2 Individual Action, Social Transformation"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Stuart Capstick <\/a> and Lorraine Whitmarsh<\/a><\/p>\n

All online sources accessed on

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  1. \n

    \nEven if someone takes every action they can<\/q> Ivanova, D., et al., \u2018Quantifying the potential for climate change mitigation of consumption options\u2019<\/cite>, Environmental Research Letters<\/span>, 15 (9), 2020: Article 093001, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1088\/1748-9326\/ab8589<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nclimate action occurs through the many roles we occupy<\/q> Whitmarsh, L., et al., \u2018Behaviour change to address climate change\u2019<\/cite>, Current Opinion in Psychology<\/span>, 42, 2021: 76\u201381, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.copsyc.2021.04.002<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nso too are other people influenced by us<\/q> Nolan, J. M., et al., \u2018Normative social influence is underdetected\u2019<\/cite>, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin<\/span>, 34 (7), 2008: 913\u201323, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177%2F0146167208316691<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nthe extent to which people make environmentally friendly choices<\/q> Abrahamse, W., and Steg, L., \u2018Social influence approaches to encourage resource conservation: a meta-analysis\u2019<\/cite>, Global Environmental Change<\/span>, 23 (6), 2013: 1773\u201385, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.gloenvcha.2013.07.029<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    \nsocial or behavioural \u2018contagion\u2019<\/q> Newell, P., et al., \u2018Scaling behaviour change for a 1.5-degree world: challenges and opportunities\u2019<\/cite>, Global Sustainability<\/span>, 4, 2021: Article e22, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/sus.2021.23<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nhouseholds installing solar panels have a measurable effect<\/q> Graziano, M., and Gillingham, K., \u2018Spatial patterns of solar photovoltaic system adoption: the influence of neighbors and the built environment\u2019<\/cite>, Journal of Economic Geography<\/span>, 15 (4), 2015: 815\u201339, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/jeg\/lbu036<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nthe uptake of electric bikes, scooters and cars<\/q> Seebauer, S., \u2018Why early adopters engage in interpersonal diffusion of technological innovations: an empirical study on electric bicycles and electric scooters\u2019<\/cite>, Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice<\/span>, 78, 2015: 146\u201360, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.tra.2015.04.017<\/a>; Figenbaum, E., \u2018Perspectives on Norway\u2019s supercharged electric vehicle policy\u2019<\/cite>, Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions<\/span>, 25, 2017: 14\u201334, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.eist.2016.11.002<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nbegun to shape new social norms<\/q> Becken, S., et al., \u2018Climate crisis and flying: social media analysis traces the rise of \u201cflightshame\u201d\u2019<\/cite>, Journal of Sustainable Tourism<\/span>, 29 (9), 2021: 1450\u201369, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09669582.2020.1851699<\/a>; G\u00f6ssling, S., et al., \u2018Does \u201cflight shame\u201d affect social norms? Changing perspectives on the desirability of air travel in Germany\u2019<\/cite>, Journal of Cleaner Production<\/span>, 266, 2020: Article 122015, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jclepro.2020.122015<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \ndomestic air-passenger numbers fell by 9 per cent<\/q> Berton, E., \u2018Flight shaming hits air travel as \u201cGreta effect\u201d takes off\u2019<\/cite>, Reuters, 2 October 2019, https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-travel-flying-climate\/flight-shaming-hits-air-travel-as-greta-effect-takes-off-idUSKBN1WH23G<\/a>; Hervey-Bathurst, Isabella, \u2018\u201cFlygskam\u201d: the very real impact of climate change on Swedish airlines\u2019<\/cite>, Schrodes, 28 May 2019, https:\/\/www.schroders.com\/en\/insights\/economics\/flygskam-the-very-real-impact-of-climate-change-on-swedish-airlines\/<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nthe Flight Free campaign<\/q> Flight Free UK, \u2018Why flight free?\u2019<\/cite>, https:\/\/flightfree.co.uk\/why_flight_free\/<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nGrowing enthusiasm for plant-based diets<\/q> Stewart, C., et al., \u2018Trends in UK meat consumption: analysis of data from years 1\u201311 (2008\u201309 to 2018\u201319) of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey rolling programme\u2019<\/cite>, Lancet Planetary Health<\/span>, 5 (10), 2021: Article, e699\u2013e708, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S2542-5196(21)00228-X<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nprompted producers to invest<\/q> Wood, Z., \u2018World is shifting to a more plant-based diet, says Unilever chief\u2019<\/cite>, Guardian<\/span>, 4 February 2021, https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2021\/feb\/04\/world-is-shifting-to-a-more-plant-based-diet-says-unilever-chief<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nthe potential to enable further changes<\/q> Garnett, E. E., et al., \u2018Impact of increasing vegetarian availability on meal selection and sales in cafeterias\u2019<\/cite>, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences<\/span>, 116 (42), 2019: 20923\u20139, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.1907207116<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nhigh-profile figures \u2026 can have a particularly pronounced effect<\/q> Westlake, S., \u2018Climate change: yes, your individual action does make a difference\u2019<\/cite>, The Conversation, 11 April 2019, https:\/\/theconversation.com\/climate-change-yes-your-individual-action-does-make-a-difference-115169<\/a>; Nielsen, K. S., et al., \u2018The role of high-socioeconomic-status people in locking in or rapidly reducing energy-driven greenhouse gas emissions\u2019<\/cite>, Nature Energy<\/span>, 6 (11), 2021: 1011\u201316, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41560-021-00900-y<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \npersonal choices that convey a message about the seriousness<\/q> Attari, S. Z., et al., \u2018Statements about climate researchers\u2019 carbon footprints affect their credibility and the impact of their advice\u2019<\/cite>, Climatic Change<\/span>, 138 (1\u20132), 2016: 325\u201338, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10584-016-1713-2<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nThe wealthiest 10 per cent of people globally<\/q> Capstick, S., et al., \u2018Bridging the gap: the role of equitable low-carbon lifestyles\u2019<\/cite>, in United Nations Environment Programme, Emissions Gap Report 2020<\/span>, December 2020, 62\u201375, https:\/\/wedocs.unep.org\/handle\/20.500.11822\/34432<\/a>; Chancel, L., \u2018The richest 10% produce about half of greenhouse gas emissions. They should pay to fix the climate\u2019<\/cite>, Guardian<\/span>, 7 December 2021, https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2021\/dec\/07\/we-cant-address-the-climate-crisis-unless-we-also-take-on-global-inequality<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    \ntheir personal resources put them in a better position<\/q> Nielsen et al., \u2018The role of high-socioeconomic-status people\u2019<\/cite>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nParticipation in social movements<\/q> De la Mare, T., \u2018Concern about the climate at record highs among the UK public, poll finds\u2019<\/cite>, Evening Standard<\/span>, 10 November 2021, https:\/\/www.standard.co.uk\/news\/uk\/climate-change-poll-yougov-extinction-rebellion-cop26-b965448.html<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nits influence on wider public opinion<\/q> Bugden, D., \u2018Does climate protest work? Partisanship, protest, and sentiment pools\u2019<\/cite>, Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World<\/span>, 6, 2020: 1\u201313, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177%2F2378023120925949<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nexert pressure on decision-makers<\/q> From Student Strikes to the Extinction Rebellion: New Protest Movements Shaping Our Future<\/span><\/cite> (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2020); Agnone, J., \u2018Amplifying public opinion: the policy impact of the U.S. environmental movement\u2019<\/cite>, Social Forces<\/span>, 85 (4), 2007: 1593\u20131620, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1353\/sof.2007.0059<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \ncitizens are clearly calling for a strong government response<\/q> Howarth, C., et al., \u2018Building a social mandate for climate action: lessons from COVID-19\u2019<\/cite>, Environmental and Resource Economics<\/span>, 76 (4), 2020: 1107\u201315, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10640-020-00446-9<\/a>; Flynn, C., et al., People\u2019s Climate Vote: Results<\/span><\/cite>, United Nations Development Programme and the University of Oxford, 26 January 2021, https:\/\/www.undp.org\/publications\/peoples-climate-vote<\/a>; Steentjes, K., et al., ; Steentjes, K., et al., Public Perceptions of Climate Change and Policy Action in the UK, China, Sweden and Brazil<\/span><\/cite>, Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations briefing paper, November 2021, https:\/\/cast.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/01112021-Briefing-10-final.pdf<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nasking young Germans to \u2018pile on the pressure\u2019<\/q> Interview with Angela Merkel on Deutsche Welle, 7 November 2021, Deutsche Welle News, 7 November 2021, https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=WMvoxx7XFuc<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \n\u2018our feet do need to be held to the fire\u2019<\/q> Nicola Sturgeon made this remark during a COP26 plenary session with the Ugandan activist Vanessa Nakate and the UK High-Level Climate Action Champion, Nigel Topping: \u2018Cop26: racing to a better world\u2019<\/cite>, YouTube, 11 November 2021, https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ElSRo5A5d4E<\/a> [from 37:00].\n<\/p>\n

    \na part of remaking the very systems and cultures<\/q> Amel, E., et al., \u2018Beyond the roots of human inaction: fostering collective effort toward ecosystem conservation\u2019<\/cite>, Science<\/span>, 356 (6335), 2017: 275\u20139, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.aal1931<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nthe potential exists for domino effects<\/q> Centola, D., et al., \u2018Experimental evidence for tipping points in social convention\u2019<\/cite>, Science<\/span>, 360 (6393), 2018: 1116\u201319, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.aas8827<\/a>; Otto, I. M., et al., \u2018Social tipping dynamics for stabilizing Earth\u2019s climate by 2050\u2019<\/cite>, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences<\/span>, 117 (5), 2020: 2354\u201365, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.1900577117<\/a>; Newell et al., \u2018Scaling behaviour change for a 1.5-degree world\u2019<\/cite>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nhistory shows that such transitions can be sudden<\/q> Rapid Transition Alliance, Is There Hope?<\/span><\/cite>, 1 November 2021, https:\/\/www.rapidtransition.org\/resources\/a-pocket-book-of-hope\/<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nNone of this is to argue that the obligation \u2026 rests solely with citizens<\/q> Akenji, L., \u2018Consumer scapegoatism and limits to green consumerism\u2019<\/cite>, Journal of Cleaner Production<\/span>, 63, 2014: 13\u201323, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jclepro.2013.05.022<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nwhose powers \u2026 are often heavily constrained<\/q> Maniates, M. F., \u2018Individualization: plant a tree, buy a bike, save the world?\u2019<\/cite>, Global Environmental Politics<\/span>, 1 (3), 2001: 31\u201352, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1162\/152638001316881395<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nAn emphasis on personal responsibility has been misused<\/q> Lamb, W. F., et al., \u2018Discourses of climate delay\u2019<\/cite>, Global Sustainability<\/span>, 3, 2020: Article e17, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/sus.2020.13<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \na deliberate tactic which deserves to be discredited<\/q> Supran, G., and Oreskes, N., \u2018Rhetoric and frame analysis of ExxonMobil\u2019s climate change communications\u2019<\/cite>, One Earth<\/span>, 4 (5), 2021: 696\u2013719, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.oneear.2021.04.014<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

    \nIt is also essential that governments show leadership<\/q> Akenji, L., et al., 1.5-Degree Lifestyles: Towards a Fair Consumption Space for All<\/span><\/cite>, Hot or Cool Institute, October 2021, https:\/\/hotorcool.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Hot_or_Cool_1_5_lifestyles_FULL_REPORT_AND_ANNEX_B.pdf<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Stuart Capstick and Lorraine Whitmarsh All online sources accessed on 28 February 2022 Even if someone takes every action they can Ivanova, D., et al., \u2018Quantifying the potential for climate change mitigation of consumption options\u2019, Environmental Research Letters, 15 (9), 2020: Article 093001, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1088\/1748-9326\/ab8589. climate action occurs through the many roles we occupy Whitmarsh, L.,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":150,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-essay.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-343","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theclimatebook.org\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theclimatebook.org\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theclimatebook.org\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theclimatebook.org\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theclimatebook.org\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=343"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/theclimatebook.org\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/343\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theclimatebook.org\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theclimatebook.org\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}