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Investing in a good pair of wellies: how do non-experts interpret the expert terminology of climate change impacts and adaptation?

Author

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  • Rachel Harcourt

    (Univeristy of Leeds)

  • Wändi Bruine de Bruin

    (Univeristy of Leeds
    Carnegie Mellon University)

  • Suraje Dessai

    (Univeristy of Leeds)

  • Andrea Taylor

    (Univeristy of Leeds)

Abstract

The UK is already experiencing the impacts of climate change and these are expected to increase in scale and severity in the coming decades. Preparing for impacts by undertaking adaptive actions can potentially reduce the level of harm. In the UK, the government’s adaptation program aims to develop a “climate-ready society.” However, achieving broad public engagement in adaptation presents a significant communications challenge. Here, we aimed to understand how UK residents use and interpret the terms “climate change impacts” and “climate change adaptation.” We conducted a secondary analysis of 22 interviews with UK residents, who were recruited for their diverse climate change views. The interviewees expressed a lack of clarity around expected climate change impacts, which did not prevent them from saying that they were already experiencing the effects of a changing climate. Further, threats to cultural norms and values were perceived as serious and emotionally charged. Adaptation was often conflated with mitigation, and responsibility for adaptation was contested. We discuss the implications of our findings for developing more useful public communication about climate change adaptation.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Harcourt & Wändi Bruine de Bruin & Suraje Dessai & Andrea Taylor, 2019. "Investing in a good pair of wellies: how do non-experts interpret the expert terminology of climate change impacts and adaptation?," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 155(2), pages 257-272, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:155:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s10584-019-02455-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-019-02455-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Rachel Harcourt & Wändi Bruine de Bruin & Suraje Dessai & Andrea Taylor, 2021. "Envisioning Climate Change Adaptation Futures Using Storytelling Workshops," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Wändi Bruine de Bruin & Lila Rabinovich & Kate Weber & Marianna Babboni & Monica Dean & Lance Ignon, 2021. "Public understanding of climate change terminology," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 167(3), pages 1-21, August.
    3. Wändi Bruine de Bruin & Andrew Dugan, 2022. "On the differential correlates of climate change concerns and severe weather concerns: evidence from the World Risk Poll," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 171(3), pages 1-24, April.

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