Using Public Deliberation and Environmental Issues Forums …
521
4.7 Follow up Interview Results
We conducted follow up interviews with participants (response rate = 20.1%; n = 10)
to further understand the impacts of the forums after 3 months. The results were split
into two parts: (1) comments related to the forum process itself and (2) comments
related to climate change action.
4.7.1 Comments Related to Deliberative Process
Participant 1 felt the content was well-balanced, had good visuals, and had good
handouts. He liked that it was a small, intimate group (around 12 people). He felt
everyone was able to speak and be heard because it was a small group. Participant
2 has a personal interest in climate change and believes it is an appealing topic. He
thought the forum was OK and very informative. Attending the forum did not affect
his feelings about climate change, but he claims it was very nice to talk to other
concerned citizens. He feels discussion is positive. The forum added support to the
direction he is already going regarding his feelings on climate change. It reinforced
his current actions. Participant 3 attended the forum because she has personal interest
in climate change and is very passionate about the subject, and affecting change. She
thought the forum was great, and enjoyed the people who presented-she thought it
was very informative. She suggests using microphones, because it was difficult to
hear at some points. Being new to the community, she believes it is important to know
how much the community cares, and she was happy with the results. Participant 4
decided to attend the forum because she felt helpless and shocked after the ongoing
American political situations where there were cuts to the EPA and other events
going on at the White House. She wanted a place to talk about the future and climate
change. She enjoyed the forum, and thought it was a friendly atmosphere. She was
in a group that was dominated by a few people, and wanted to be able to speak more.
She suggests either a group moderator or procedure to ensure that everyone who
wants to speak would be able to speak. She is willing to make big lifestyle changes
in order to adapt to climate change. Participant 5 attended the forum because she is
interested in climate change issues. She is an environmental activist. She enjoyed
the forum, claiming it was a good community gathering of sharing ideas and talking
to one another. She liked the Q & A setting. She claims she did not learn any new
information regarding climate change, seeing that she is already an environmental
activist.
4.7.2 Comments Related to Climate Change Action
Participant 1 believes that change happens when awareness spreads and the community is educated on the facts. He cared about the environment before attending the
forum, and after cares the same amount, but now it is more at the forefront of his
521
4.7 Follow up Interview Results
We conducted follow up interviews with participants (response rate = 20.1%; n = 10)
to further understand the impacts of the forums after 3 months. The results were split
into two parts: (1) comments related to the forum process itself and (2) comments
related to climate change action.
4.7.1 Comments Related to Deliberative Process
Participant 1 felt the content was well-balanced, had good visuals, and had good
handouts. He liked that it was a small, intimate group (around 12 people). He felt
everyone was able to speak and be heard because it was a small group. Participant
2 has a personal interest in climate change and believes it is an appealing topic. He
thought the forum was OK and very informative. Attending the forum did not affect
his feelings about climate change, but he claims it was very nice to talk to other
concerned citizens. He feels discussion is positive. The forum added support to the
direction he is already going regarding his feelings on climate change. It reinforced
his current actions. Participant 3 attended the forum because she has personal interest
in climate change and is very passionate about the subject, and affecting change. She
thought the forum was great, and enjoyed the people who presented-she thought it
was very informative. She suggests using microphones, because it was difficult to
hear at some points. Being new to the community, she believes it is important to know
how much the community cares, and she was happy with the results. Participant 4
decided to attend the forum because she felt helpless and shocked after the ongoing
American political situations where there were cuts to the EPA and other events
going on at the White House. She wanted a place to talk about the future and climate
change. She enjoyed the forum, and thought it was a friendly atmosphere. She was
in a group that was dominated by a few people, and wanted to be able to speak more.
She suggests either a group moderator or procedure to ensure that everyone who
wants to speak would be able to speak. She is willing to make big lifestyle changes
in order to adapt to climate change. Participant 5 attended the forum because she is
interested in climate change issues. She is an environmental activist. She enjoyed
the forum, claiming it was a good community gathering of sharing ideas and talking
to one another. She liked the Q & A setting. She claims she did not learn any new
information regarding climate change, seeing that she is already an environmental
activist.
4.7.2 Comments Related to Climate Change Action
Participant 1 believes that change happens when awareness spreads and the community is educated on the facts. He cared about the environment before attending the
forum, and after cares the same amount, but now it is more at the forefront of his