Classified as: reflective journal - advocacy
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| My local community garden |
Both Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd seem to have been backing away from climate
change and environmental issues as if they might bite, in this election.
Research suggests concern over climate change has declined in Australia over
recent years (Pugliese and Lyons 2010). There are powerful forces, both corporations and individuals, opposing action on climate change
(McCright and Dunlap 2010).
Once an issue has been 'polarised' (when some
people take sides and express strong feelings about it), people in general may
become wary of it. In these circumstances, some politicians may think it's best to avoid the
subject.
However there is other research, and community experience, that shows a very
different picture.
Linking climate change to health impacts (such as disasters, increased
diseases, droughts and food insecurity) can lead to greater support for action
to reduce emissions (DeBono et al 2010; Nisbet 2009)
Although there has been little research so far, positive messages may be
even more effective. Edward Maibach and his colleagues (2010) in the US found
that information about the positive health impacts of action to reduce climate
change (for example walking vs driving) was positively received across all
groups, regardless of their position on climate change.
When people see the benefits that sustainable living can provide for
themselves, their families and communities, and the environment, they may feel
much more positive.
The emerging themes from this research project (Promoting equity,
environmental sustainability and health) support this view. One of key enablers
for working with the community to promote environmental sustainability seems
to be to address issues that are relevant to people’s lives and that provide
direct benefit to them (like reducing energy bills), rather than framing the
work around abstract or contested issues like climate change.
Below are some quotes illustrating this emerging theme:
Claire, manager, health and community organisation, talking about an energy efficiency program in a rural area:
we made a concerted effort not to use climate change words... [a survey later showed that some] people were climate change sceptics, but they were still involved in the energy efficiency program, so it didn't matter if you had this belief [in climate change] or not, this was the practical what's in it for me thing that also had some environmental benefits, you know
Galina, President of tenants' association, large public housing estate in an inner metro area, talking about volunteer programs:
it's absolutely to educate people how to live well, you know ageing well and all that stuff ... [one program] was a collaboration between our community and [a local environmental organisation] ... changing light globes ... to more effective ones ... we can reuse water ... if people are having a bath, they can use that water ... to flush the toilets ...[and] we've got our garden, and people who like ... can grow some vegetables and flowers
Luke, community member with experience of disadvantage, volunteer and community advocate, taking about community kitchens:
[it's also] preventing waste ... using food, you know from Second Bite ...it's absolutely communal ... [and] people are growing through that whole experience of community kitchen
Pete, officer in health and community organisation, works with Men's Shed networks in rural and regional area:
if you went in to say the shed networks, if I went and talked about
solar energy, or talked about water, they would give you fifteen different
areas that they’ve actually researched on it, they’d actually give you it all,
... so they’re actually thinking forward about that, but they’re thinking about
lifestyle sustainability, they’re not thinking about saving energy at the power
plant, they’re thinking about their own sustainability
The Pass the Parcel report from Southern Grampians
and Glenelg PCP, mentioned in the project update, also provides more
information on this theme.
So, in summary, what people are doing in these
projects is improving their own health and well-being by improving their energy
efficiency, reducing their household costs, increasing their access to fresh
food, and building more inclusive communities. All of these things have
environmental benefits as well as health benefits, and can help to reduce
carbon emissions and the risk of climate change.
The Climate and Health Alliance has rated the parties on climate
and health issues and I refer readers looking for information to support their
voting decisions to CAHA .
Either way, I urge the major parties to stop
treating the environment and sustainable living as a no-go zone, and start
thinking about them as important issues for our future.
References cited:
Debono, Roberto; Vincenti, Karen; Calleja, Neville,
Risk communication: climate change as a human-health threat, a survey of public
perceptions in Malta, European journal of public health, 2012, Vol.22(1),
pp.144-9
McCright, AM ; Dunlap, RE, Anti-reflexivity The
American Conservative Movement's Success in Undermining Climate Science and
Policy, Theory Culture & Society, 2010, Vol.27(2-3), pp.100-133
Maibach, Edward W.; Nisbet, Matthew; Baldwin, Paula;
Akerlof, Karen; Diao, Guoqing, Reframing climate change as a public health
issue: an exploratory study of public reactions.(Research article)(Clinical
report), BMC Public Health, June 1, 2010, Vol.10, p.299
Nisbet, MC ; Scheufele, DA, What's next for science
communication? Promising directions and lingering distractions American Journal
Of Botany, 2009, Vol.96(10), pp.1767-1778
Pugliese, Anita ; Lyons, Linda, Australians' Views
Shift on Climate Change; Fewer believe climate change results from human
activities.(Survey) Gallup Poll News Service, August 6, 2010
