Understanding New Zealand public opinion on climate change : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Politics at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
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Date
2017
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Massey University
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Abstract
This project explored how climate change is understood by members of the New
Zealand public and how these understandings relate to their climate-related policy
preferences and actions. Although climate change is regarded as one of the most serious
threats facing humanity, there remains a gap between scientific findings and the
political responses in New Zealand and the wider international community. Given that
public opinion is a key driver to political action on the matter, it is important to
understand its complexities, how it is constructed and shaped, and how it relates to
behavioural preferences and practices. The research literature, however, reveals an
emphasis on the polling of New Zealanders' opinions on climate change and a neglect of
these dynamics. To address this lacuna, the study explored the climate change
understandings and actions of six New Zealanders in rural and urban settings. In-depth,
semi-structured, one-on-one interviews and the methodological approach of
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis were used to gain rich insight into the lived
experiences of climate change. The analysis of data revealed four key themes, which
depicted climate change as a physical process; as a sociocultural story; as a personal
story; and as a call to action. Despite a general understanding of the veracity of climate
change and its human causation there is evidence of widespread conflation with other
environmental phenomena, distrust of elites, and subtle forms of denial, which together
hamper effective action. Shaped by various beliefs, values, and experiences, the
heterogeneity of interpretations implies the need for disaggregated research into climate
change public opinion, and for tailored strategies in designing climate policy, activating
behavioural change, engendering policy support, and mobilising collective action.
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Keywords
Global warming, Climatic changes, Public opinion, New Zealand, Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Political science, Interpretive phenomenological analysis, Climate change