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Collective Responses to the 2018 Water Shortage in Cape Town: An Explorative Qualitative Study

Author

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  • Jarle Eid

    (Center for Crisis Psychology, University of Bergen, Møllendalsbakken 9, 5020 Bergen, Norway)

  • Tuva Emilie Øyslebø

    (Center for Crisis Psychology, University of Bergen, Møllendalsbakken 9, 5020 Bergen, Norway)

Abstract

In 2018, the Western Cape region in South Africa experienced a significant drought. At a certain date termed “Day Zero”, it was projected that about 3.7 million people in the City of Cape Town would run out of water. In this qualitative study, we provide a context for the situation and explore how a group of individual residents interpreted and adapted to the situation by changing their norms in order to preserve water. A systematic text condensation identified three superordinate themes that captured essential aspects of how the informants interpreted the situation and mobilized to cope with the environmental crisis. Three core processes are exemplified with direct statements from the informants. Specifically, these were labeled “making sense of the situation”, “taking part in the action” and “looking to the future”. The interview data suggest that the water shortage emerged as a significant existential experience transcending personal norms, mobilizing action, and reminding the informants about an uncertain future. The findings from this study may inform future research on pro-environmental action and sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Jarle Eid & Tuva Emilie Øyslebø, 2020. "Collective Responses to the 2018 Water Shortage in Cape Town: An Explorative Qualitative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:16:p:6638-:d:399929
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mark Swilling, 2010. "Sustainability, poverty and municipal services: the case of Cape Town, South Africa," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(4), pages 194-201.
    2. Hussam Hussein & Filippo Menga & Francesca Greco, 2018. "Monitoring Transboundary Water Cooperation in SDG 6.5.2: How a Critical Hydropolitics Approach Can Spot Inequitable Outcomes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-9, October.
    3. M. Scott Taylor, 2009. "Innis Lecture: Environmental crises: past, present, and future," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 42(4), pages 1240-1275, November.
    4. Lorraine Whitmarsh, 2008. "Are flood victims more concerned about climate change than other people? The role of direct experience in risk perception and behavioural response," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(3), pages 351-374, April.
    5. M. Scott Taylor, 2009. "Innis Lecture: Environmental crises: past, present, and future," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 42(4), pages 1240-1275, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Isaac Busayo Oluwatayo & Tamunotonye Mayowa Braide, 2022. "Socioeconomic Determinants of Households’ Vulnerability to Drought in Western Cape, South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-20, June.

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