Climate change concern and discourse among nature lovers

Abstract

One barrier to action on climate change is not talking about it. The majority of Americans and Canadians are concerned about climate change^1,2 but are reluctant to discuss it with family and friends^1,3,4,5. Finding comfortable opportunities to promote conversation about climate change would help increase the acceptability of climate actions⁶. In this study, 32 semi-structured interviews were held with representatives of nature-related organizations in Ontario, Canada, including hiking groups, naturalists, preservation and conservation groups, cross-country skiers, and hunters and anglers, to ascertain how they perceive and talk about climate change and whether those organizations would constitute welcoming spaces. This article adds to the literature on laypeople’s understanding of climate change^7,8. Most interviewees noticed local effects of climate change and were either Alarmed or Concerned about climate change, referencing Global Warming’s Six Americas³. Some were quite concerned about the effects on their chosen activity. Others were worried for their offspring. This suggests that these groups might be safe spaces for talking about climate change. More generally, it suggests that nature lovers across North America who distance themselves from the environmental movement⁹ might be amenable to discussing climate change as the issue becomes more salient.