Introduction

Markus Hadler,Markus Schweighart,Rebecca Wardana,Stephan Schwarzinger,Beate Klösch,David Neil Bird

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-85796-7_1

Abstract

AbstractThis introduction offers an overview of our research approach, discusses the connection between sociology and climate research, and presents our two research aims. In substantive terms, we address the question of which behaviors are of climate relevance, who is engaging in these behaviors, in which contexts do these behaviors occur, and which individual perceptions and values are related to them. In terms of research methods, we focus on the measurement of climate-relevant behaviors using population surveys. Our goal in this regard is to develop an instrument that allows a valid estimate of an individual’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with as few questions as possible.

Highlights

The relation between the environment and sociology could be described by a Human Exceptionalism Paradigm until the 1970s when Dunlap and Catton proposed the New Environmental Paradigm (Catton Jr & Dunlap, 1978; Harper, 2015)
The 1970s marked a change in climate research
Differences and fluctuations in the climate had been discussed for centuries, but only in the 1970s did the scientific opinion start to swing toward agreeing on an increasing temperature trend

Summary

Introduction

“2019 has been a year of climate disaster,” was the headline of a commentary by Geoff Goldrick (2019) in the Guardian It summarizes the many severe events of that year ranging from bush fires in Australia, unprecedented early tropical storms, and heat waves in Europe to record-low sea ice levels in the Arctic. In terms of research methods, we focus on the measurement of climate-relevant behaviors with population surveys Our goal in this regard is to develop an instrument that allows a valid estimate of an individual’s output with as few questions as possible. A concise way of using a questionnaire to estimate an individuals’ impact, in turn, provides room for additional questions on attitudes, values, socio-demographics, and so on that are not always grasped in online footprint calculators, smart meters, and similar tools In this vein, our book offers a guideline for survey researchers. We consider the perceived obstacles to acting in a more environmentally friendly way and use this information to highlight possible levers for addressing change

Sociology and Climate Research

Climate-Relevant Behavior and Impact

Measuring Climate-Relevant Behavior in Surveys

Findings

Research Team and Content of This Book