512
C. J. Li et al.
Keywords Deliberation · Climate change · Civic engagement · Sustainable
development
1 Background
The majority (97% or higher) of Earth Scientists agree that mean global temperatures have risen since pre-1800 levels and that it this temperature increase is human
caused (Cook et al. 2013; Doran and Zimmerman 2009; Oreskes 2004). However,
among the public those that agree that the earth is warming due to human activities ranges between 16% among Republican conservatives, 38% among Republican moderates/liberals, 51% among Democratic conservatives/moderates and 77%
among Democratic liberals (PEW 2012). Further, the public is far less sure that scientists agree that the “earth is getting warmer because of human activity” with only
30% of Republicans, 58% of Democrats and 45% of Independents answering “yes”
to this question (PEW 2012). Closing the gap in understanding between expert and
layperson about this important issue is critical for identifying solutions to managing
both greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation response to climate change impacts.
Further, Ding et al. demonstrated that misperception about scientific consensus is
strongly associated with reduced levels of policy support and a belief that action
should be taken (2011). Given that communication of facts alone has been shown to
have limited impact on changing the minds of the public (Owens 2000), this forum
takes the approach of creating dialogue and deliberation among non-experts. While
many laypeople may still be on the fence about whether or not the climate is changing,
many experts are directing efforts toward adaptation responses.
1.1 Civic Engagement Strategies
Engaging the public in solving environmental issues starts with community-based
conversations. Jacobson et al. suggested five different types of outreach techniques
as effective approaches to connect communities with conservation (2015). The five
techniques include service learning, issue investigation, project-based learning, public participation in scientific research, and mapping. Strategies for civic engagement
fall broadly into two categories: (1) those based on rationalist, ‘information deficit’
model, and (2) those owing more to a civic or deliberation model. The first category
assumes that lay people are lack of knowledge in environmental issues and needs
to learn how to prepare for risks: the public must be engaged in order to be better
informed and converted to a ‘more objective’ view. The second category assumes
that public perspectives might help not only to identify or implement solutions but
to define, or reframe, what the problems actually are (Bulkeley 1999; Burgess et al.
1998; Jasanoff 1999; Macnaghten and Urry 1998; Thompson et al. 1998; Wynne
1996).
C. J. Li et al.
Keywords Deliberation · Climate change · Civic engagement · Sustainable
development
1 Background
The majority (97% or higher) of Earth Scientists agree that mean global temperatures have risen since pre-1800 levels and that it this temperature increase is human
caused (Cook et al. 2013; Doran and Zimmerman 2009; Oreskes 2004). However,
among the public those that agree that the earth is warming due to human activities ranges between 16% among Republican conservatives, 38% among Republican moderates/liberals, 51% among Democratic conservatives/moderates and 77%
among Democratic liberals (PEW 2012). Further, the public is far less sure that scientists agree that the “earth is getting warmer because of human activity” with only
30% of Republicans, 58% of Democrats and 45% of Independents answering “yes”
to this question (PEW 2012). Closing the gap in understanding between expert and
layperson about this important issue is critical for identifying solutions to managing
both greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation response to climate change impacts.
Further, Ding et al. demonstrated that misperception about scientific consensus is
strongly associated with reduced levels of policy support and a belief that action
should be taken (2011). Given that communication of facts alone has been shown to
have limited impact on changing the minds of the public (Owens 2000), this forum
takes the approach of creating dialogue and deliberation among non-experts. While
many laypeople may still be on the fence about whether or not the climate is changing,
many experts are directing efforts toward adaptation responses.
1.1 Civic Engagement Strategies
Engaging the public in solving environmental issues starts with community-based
conversations. Jacobson et al. suggested five different types of outreach techniques
as effective approaches to connect communities with conservation (2015). The five
techniques include service learning, issue investigation, project-based learning, public participation in scientific research, and mapping. Strategies for civic engagement
fall broadly into two categories: (1) those based on rationalist, ‘information deficit’
model, and (2) those owing more to a civic or deliberation model. The first category
assumes that lay people are lack of knowledge in environmental issues and needs
to learn how to prepare for risks: the public must be engaged in order to be better
informed and converted to a ‘more objective’ view. The second category assumes
that public perspectives might help not only to identify or implement solutions but
to define, or reframe, what the problems actually are (Bulkeley 1999; Burgess et al.
1998; Jasanoff 1999; Macnaghten and Urry 1998; Thompson et al. 1998; Wynne
1996).