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“Put on a Jacket, You Wuss†: Cultural Identities, Home Heating, and Air Pollution in Christchurch, New Zealand

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  • Julie Cupples
  • Victoria Guyatt
  • Jamie Pearce

Abstract

Central heating, insulation, and double glazing, such as you might find in many countries with colder climates in the northern hemisphere, are virtually lacking in Christchurch, in New Zealand's South Island. In this city, houses tend to be inadequately heated and rely primarily on a combination of open fires, log burners, and electrical heaters. This form of home heating, combined with local climatic and topographical factors, results in high levels of wintertime air pollution. While much research has been conducted into the air-pollution problem in Christchurch to date, this research has focused on physical contaminants and their effects on health, rather than on the ways in which air pollution is socially and culturally mediated and on the sense-making practices of those who create pollution and suffer its effects. Based on information drawn from focus groups, we argue that reluctance to change behaviour results partly from investments in particular cultural identities which are tied into hegemonic masculinities and understandings of national identity, such as the masculine pioneer heritage established during the colonial period. We also explore the spatial relationships that air pollution plays out within and on the ‘body’ and how it transcends and weakens the bounded body. We believe that analyses which draw on theories of hybridisation, embodiment, identity, and discourse, and which highlight the links between modes of behaviour, identity and sense of place, and the interactions between humans and nonhumans, are able to shed new light on our understandings of public perceptions and responses to air pollution in Christchurch.

Suggested Citation

  • Julie Cupples & Victoria Guyatt & Jamie Pearce, 2007. "“Put on a Jacket, You Wuss†: Cultural Identities, Home Heating, and Air Pollution in Christchurch, New Zealand," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 39(12), pages 2883-2898, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:39:y:2007:i:12:p:2883-2898
    DOI: 10.1068/a3932
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Annette Hastings, 1999. "Discourse and Urban Change: Introduction to the Special Issue," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 36(1), pages 7-12, January.
    2. Judith Petts, 2005. "Health, Responsibility, and Choice: Contrasting Negotiations of Air Pollution and Immunisation Information," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 37(5), pages 791-804, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anneleen Kenis & Maarten Loopmans, 2022. "Just air? Spatial injustice and the politicisation of air pollution," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 40(3), pages 563-571, May.
    2. Reeve, Ian & Scott, John & Hine, Donald W. & Bhullar, Navjot, 2013. "“This is not a burning issue for me”: How citizens justify their use of wood heaters in a city with a severe air pollution problem," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 204-211.
    3. Ambrose, Aimee & McCarthy, Lindsey, 2019. "Taming the 'masculine pioneers'? Changing attitudes towards energy efficiency amongst private landlords and tenants in New Zealand: A case study of Dunedin," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 165-176.
    4. Anneleen Kenis & Benjamin Barratt, 2022. "The role of the media in staging air pollution: The controversy on extreme air pollution along Oxford Street and other debates on poor air quality in London," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 40(3), pages 611-628, May.
    5. Roberts, Erin, 2020. "Warming with wood: Exploring the everyday heating practices of rural off-gas households in Wales," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    6. Howden-Chapman, Philippa & Viggers, Helen & Chapman, Ralph & O'Dea, Des & Free, Sarah & O'Sullivan, Kimberley, 2009. "Warm homes: Drivers of the demand for heating in the residential sector in New Zealand," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(9), pages 3387-3399, September.
    7. Elinor Chisholm & Kimberley O’Sullivan, 2017. "Using Twitter to Explore (un)Healthy Housing: Learning from the #Characterbuildings Campaign in New Zealand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-14, November.
    8. Sahlberg, Anna & Karlsson, Bodil S.A. & Sjöblom, Jonas & Ström, Henrik, 2022. "Don't extinguish my fire – Understanding public resistance to a Swedish policy aimed at reducing particle emissions by phasing out old wood stoves," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    9. Bouzarovski, Stefan & Simcock, Neil, 2017. "Spatializing energy justice," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 640-648.
    10. Sonja Oliveira & Elena Marco, 2018. "Role of ‘Community Spaces’ in Residents’ Adaptation to Energy-Efficient Heating Technologies—Insights from a UK Low-Energy Housing Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-15, March.
    11. Stefan Bouzarovski & Saska Petrova & Sergio Tirado-Herrero, 2014. "From Fuel Poverty to Energy Vulnerability: The Importance of Services, Needs and Practices," SPRU Working Paper Series 2014-25, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.

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