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Community climate change beliefs, awareness, and actions in the wake of the September 2013 flooding in Boulder County, Colorado

Author

Listed:
  • Stephanie Shepard

    (Oregon State University)

  • Hilary Boudet

    (Oregon State University)

  • Chad M. Zanocco

    (Oregon State University)

  • Lori A. Cramer

    (Oregon State University)

  • Bryan Tilt

    (Oregon State University)

Abstract

Scholars and activists alike contend that extreme weather events may provide the best opportunity for raising public awareness and perhaps even instigating action related to climate change. We explore whether the September 2013 floods were associated with local climate change beliefs and actions after the event via an in-depth case study in Boulder County, CO. Based on analysis of local newspapers and policy documents, responses from an event-specific survey, and semi-structured interviews, we show that Boulder County residents readily connected the flooding event to climate change despite competing scientific claims about the link. Moreover, while the event did not necessarily alter existing climate change beliefs, it did create a greater sense of vulnerability to and increased awareness of the risks posed by climate change. In terms of climate change action after the event, residents and policymakers appeared to place a greater emphasis on adaptation to future extreme events, with a focus on building resilience through social capital. Yet, we also uncovered a complex relationship between social capital and resilience, particularly in terms of the impact of the event on already marginalized and vulnerable populations. This study adds to a growing body of research on climate change beliefs and actions in the wake of extreme weather events.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephanie Shepard & Hilary Boudet & Chad M. Zanocco & Lori A. Cramer & Bryan Tilt, 2018. "Community climate change beliefs, awareness, and actions in the wake of the September 2013 flooding in Boulder County, Colorado," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 8(3), pages 312-325, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jenvss:v:8:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s13412-018-0479-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s13412-018-0479-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Charles A. Ogunbode & Rouven Doran & Gisela Böhm, 2020. "Individual and local flooding experiences are differentially associated with subjective attribution and climate change concern," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 162(4), pages 2243-2255, October.
    2. Chad Zanocco & Hilary Boudet & Roberta Nilson & Hannah Satein & Hannah Whitley & June Flora, 2018. "Place, proximity, and perceived harm: extreme weather events and views about climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 149(3), pages 349-365, August.
    3. Chamila R. Perera & Hassan Kalantari & Lester W. Johnson, 2022. "Climate Change Beliefs, Personal Environmental Norms and Environmentally Conscious Behaviour Intention," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Derric B. Jacobs & Lori A. Cramer, 2020. "The relationships between social capital and concerns for climate change with increasing wildfire risks in rural communities in Central Oregon," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 10(1), pages 12-30, March.

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