Understanding How People Cope with Climate Change: The KNOWING Climate Impact Coping Typology
The Climate Impact Coping Typology, developed within the Horizon Europe project KNOWING, describes different behavioural groups of people who react differently to climate change and corresponding protection and adaptation measures. This typology was developed to better understand the reactions of the population and to develop suitable strategies that specifically address different population groups. Benefits of […]
Climate action delay #12: ”Free rider” excuse
In today’s last reflexion on typical causes for delaying, downgrading, or rejecting climate change action, we put the focus on the “free rider” excuse, a member of disruption fear fallacies. The success of our economy and our progress is based in no small part on the use of fossil fuels, which has brought prosperity and […]
Climate action delay #11: Whataboutism
In our latest critical reflexion on typical causes for delaying, downgrading, or rejecting climate change action, we look into “Whataboutism”, a very common argument which falls under the category of redirect responsibility fallacies. This argument is one of the most common in the discussion about climate protection measures. It also makes sense – in comparison […]
Climate action delay #10: Appeal to Well-being
Today in our critical reflexion on typical causes for delaying, downgrading, or rejecting climate change action, we look into “Appeal for Well-being””, which falls under the category of disruption fear. Progress is closely linked to the availability of sufficient energy. After coal was initially considered the most important source of energy, the exploitation of oil […]
Climate action delay #9: No sticks, just carrots
In our critical reflexion on typical causes for delaying, downgrading, or rejecting climate change action, we explore “No sticks, just carrots”, which falls under the category of disruption fear. “Don’t bribe children with sweets” is a standard message for any parent seeking advice on how to motivate their offspring to behave a certain way. “Children […]
Climate action delay #8: Appeal to Social Justice
This time in our critical reflexion on typical causes for delaying, downgrading, or rejecting climate change action, we delve into “appeal to social justice”, which falls under the category of disruption fear fallacies. In many countries, people are struggling with inflation and increasing social inequality. The effects of the crises hit poorer people particularly hard. […]
Climate action delay #7: Individualism
In our critical reflexion on typical causes for delaying, downgrading, or rejecting climate change action, we explore “Individualism”, which falls under the category of redirect responsibilities. Changing one’s own behaviour is very right and important. Nevertheless, we can’t rely on everyone joining in of their own accord and sometimes actions we deem as “climate friendly” […]
Climate action delay #6: Fossil fuel solutionism
Today’s critical reflexion on typical causes for delaying, downgrading, or rejecting climate change action is looking into “fossil fuel solutionism”, which falls under the category of overoptimism fallacies. Today the “Climate Ambition Summit” was opened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, an event that has been announced last December as a “no nonsense summit”. Despite repeated […]
Climate action delay #5: Change is impossible
In our critical reflexion on typical causes for delaying, downgrading, or rejecting climate change action, we explore “Change is impossible”, which falls under the category of resignation fallacies. The Covid-19 pandemic has proven in a drastic way that changes in our behaviour and lifestyle are possible. Even drastic measures were accepted – at least in […]
Climate action delay #4: Policy perfectionism
This time in our critical reflexion on typical causes for delaying, downgrading, or rejecting climate change action, we dive into “policy perfectionism”, a variant of disruption fear fallacies. These days, policies to mitigate climate change are being considered from many different angles, leading to intense debate. This also makes sense, because every measure not only […]
