Using Public Deliberation and Environmental Issues Forums …
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that climate change is caused mostly by human activities. About 73% believe that
most scientists think global warming is happening. All of them answered correctly
on the definition of greenhouse gas effect (100%). On average, youth participants
from study site 3 rated their knowledge about climate change is 3.17 (SD = 0.54; 1
= not at all informed; 4 = very well informed) prior to the forum. At study site 3,
about 95% of the church participants believed that climate change is happening and
about 42% of them believe that climate change is caused mostly by human activities.
The majority of the church participants (85.7%) agreed that most scientists think
climate change is happening. On average, participants from study site 3 rated their
knowledge about climate change is 2.86 (SD = 0.72; 1 = not at all informed; 4 =
very well informed) prior to the forum.
4.2 Motivations for Participation
We received 27 responses for the question “why did you want to participate in this
climate change forum?” from adult participants. We examined the responses by
using the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation (Deci 1971). All 27 responses fall into
the intrinsic motivation in which they reported participating in the forums because
they think climate change is an important topic; they come for its own sake rather
than the desire for some external reward. Many people responded that they were
there because they wanted to talk about how to find community-supported decisions,
wanted to know what others thought. Because this is a voluntary event and adults
have free choice to come to not to come, intrinsic motivation emerged as the driving
force in this pilot phase. In general, people wanted to learn more about the issue,
know how they work together with their fellow citizens to make a difference, and
stay informed about local initiatives. People commented on:
• “I wanted to learn about climate change and local responses to the issue.”
• “Voice concern of climate change and be active in the community.”
• “I am curious to know my fellow citizens ideas and to work toward a community
supported decision.”
4.3 Expectations for Forums
We received 26 responses on the question “what did you hope to get out of the
forum?” Participants wanted: (1) information on different ways to make a positive
impact personally (n = 8); (2) information and data on climate change (n = 7); (3)
information on how others feel about climate change (n = 5); (4) contact to new
people and ideas about climate change (n = 4); (5) how to influence people to act in
sustainable ways (n = 3); (6) to be more familiar with climate change initiatives in
517
that climate change is caused mostly by human activities. About 73% believe that
most scientists think global warming is happening. All of them answered correctly
on the definition of greenhouse gas effect (100%). On average, youth participants
from study site 3 rated their knowledge about climate change is 3.17 (SD = 0.54; 1
= not at all informed; 4 = very well informed) prior to the forum. At study site 3,
about 95% of the church participants believed that climate change is happening and
about 42% of them believe that climate change is caused mostly by human activities.
The majority of the church participants (85.7%) agreed that most scientists think
climate change is happening. On average, participants from study site 3 rated their
knowledge about climate change is 2.86 (SD = 0.72; 1 = not at all informed; 4 =
very well informed) prior to the forum.
4.2 Motivations for Participation
We received 27 responses for the question “why did you want to participate in this
climate change forum?” from adult participants. We examined the responses by
using the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation (Deci 1971). All 27 responses fall into
the intrinsic motivation in which they reported participating in the forums because
they think climate change is an important topic; they come for its own sake rather
than the desire for some external reward. Many people responded that they were
there because they wanted to talk about how to find community-supported decisions,
wanted to know what others thought. Because this is a voluntary event and adults
have free choice to come to not to come, intrinsic motivation emerged as the driving
force in this pilot phase. In general, people wanted to learn more about the issue,
know how they work together with their fellow citizens to make a difference, and
stay informed about local initiatives. People commented on:
• “I wanted to learn about climate change and local responses to the issue.”
• “Voice concern of climate change and be active in the community.”
• “I am curious to know my fellow citizens ideas and to work toward a community
supported decision.”
4.3 Expectations for Forums
We received 26 responses on the question “what did you hope to get out of the
forum?” Participants wanted: (1) information on different ways to make a positive
impact personally (n = 8); (2) information and data on climate change (n = 7); (3)
information on how others feel about climate change (n = 5); (4) contact to new
people and ideas about climate change (n = 4); (5) how to influence people to act in
sustainable ways (n = 3); (6) to be more familiar with climate change initiatives in