Jamie Clarke

When it comes to mainstreaming low-carbon lifestyles, why do we need to move from ‘nudge’ to ‘think’? How do we make sure we’re focusing on the behaviours and audiences that really matter? When does one sustainable behaviour lead to another? What role do positive social norms, authentic storytelling and timing play?

These are some of the questions brought together in a report drawing on key findings from Cardiff University’s Low Carbon Lifestyles & Behavioural Spillover (CASPI)… Show more

When it comes to mainstreaming low-carbon lifestyles, why do we need to move from ‘nudge’ to ‘think’? How do we make sure we’re focusing on the behaviours and audiences that really matter? When does one sustainable behaviour lead to another? What role do positive social norms, authentic storytelling and timing play?

These are some of the questions brought together in a report drawing on key findings from Cardiff University’s Low Carbon Lifestyles & Behavioural Spillover (CASPI) programme. This programme funded by the European Research Council has spanned 5 years and 7 countries.

We present these findings in the context of wider social science research on low-carbon lifestyles, and offer a set of recommendations for how to move beyond small-scale and piecemeal approaches to behaviour change. Show less

The book is both a definitive summary of the latest thinking on public engagement with climate change, and a statement of intent. It showcases the Climate Outreach philosophy, and makes the case for a fresh approach to climate change communication, based on widespread participatory engagement.

The question of how to communicate about climate change and build public engagement in high-consuming, carbon-intensive Western nations, has occupied researchers, practitioners, policy makers… Show more

The book is both a definitive summary of the latest thinking on public engagement with climate change, and a statement of intent. It showcases the Climate Outreach philosophy, and makes the case for a fresh approach to climate change communication, based on widespread participatory engagement.

The question of how to communicate about climate change and build public engagement in high-consuming, carbon-intensive Western nations, has occupied researchers, practitioners, policy makers, campaigners and community organisers for more than two decades - and is the central focus of our work at Climate Outreach.

During this time, and mirroring the glacial pace at which international political negotiations have progressed, limited progress has been made. Socially and culturally, climate change remains (for the most part) the preserve of a committed band of activists. The ‘carbon footprints’ of many Western countries - and the citizens of these nations - remain high. The public conversation about the energy system is mainly focused on the costs of household energy bills. Public engagement is stuck in second gear, which leaves climate policies vulnerable to changing political winds.

The purpose of our book is to outline how public engagement with climate change can shift out of second gear. The pieces of the puzzle already exist to make this happen - in academic research and practitioner expertise – but a coherent new agenda for public engagement is required to make these pieces fit together. The five principles outlined in this book offer a fresh approach to a familiar problem. By spanning the full width of the space between primary academic research and applied practitioner strategies, we hope the book will be relevant for academics, educators, campaigners, communicators and practitioners. Show less