In recent years, the interest in climate change and environmental sustainability has increased in public opinion, new and old media, and among scientists. Profound changes in environmental attitudes have been observed, and a significant commitment to environmental movements and protests, which involve mainly younger generations. On the other hand, the digitalization of human experience and online interactions have reached a paramount size in the same years. The COVID-19 pandemic has impressed a relevant acceleration to the different forms of online interaction in teaching, purchasing, leisure activities worldwide. This global phenomenon entailed problematic aspects (e.g., exacerbating digital inequalities). The increased digitalization also allowed new forms of participation and activities in relation to climate change and other environmental issues, such as online petitions, e-participation in local consulting, organizing protests through social media. The study presented here is the first step part a research project funded by the EU which aims to explore: 1) the difference in beliefs about online versus in-person environmental participation; 2) the characteristics of online environmental participation considered to be effective. A total of nine focus groups have been carried out in three different Italian geographical areas (N = 86), and qualitative content analysis has been conducted on the transcripts. In-person participation seems to be linked to a more visible activist’s identity and a greater attribution of effectiveness, sometimes associated with direct relationships and “concrete” actions. Results also show forms of integration between offline and online participation, as well as ambivalent attitudes towards the latter. Considerations about personal, social, material and symbolic costs and risks also have been discussed by participants and contribute to clarify the difference between the forms and tools of participation
Climate Change and Pro-Environmental Forms of Participation: Offline, Online, and Their Interaction / La Barbera, Francesco; Coppola, Sonia; Altamura, Carmela; De Jong, Annabelle; Martini, Mara; Fedi, Angela; Albensi., Cinzia. - (2024), pp. 192-199. ( Sociopolitical Engagements and Youth Activisms Madrid 23-25 Ottobre).
Climate Change and Pro-Environmental Forms of Participation: Offline, Online, and Their Interaction
Sonia Coppola;Carmela Altamura;
2024
Abstract
In recent years, the interest in climate change and environmental sustainability has increased in public opinion, new and old media, and among scientists. Profound changes in environmental attitudes have been observed, and a significant commitment to environmental movements and protests, which involve mainly younger generations. On the other hand, the digitalization of human experience and online interactions have reached a paramount size in the same years. The COVID-19 pandemic has impressed a relevant acceleration to the different forms of online interaction in teaching, purchasing, leisure activities worldwide. This global phenomenon entailed problematic aspects (e.g., exacerbating digital inequalities). The increased digitalization also allowed new forms of participation and activities in relation to climate change and other environmental issues, such as online petitions, e-participation in local consulting, organizing protests through social media. The study presented here is the first step part a research project funded by the EU which aims to explore: 1) the difference in beliefs about online versus in-person environmental participation; 2) the characteristics of online environmental participation considered to be effective. A total of nine focus groups have been carried out in three different Italian geographical areas (N = 86), and qualitative content analysis has been conducted on the transcripts. In-person participation seems to be linked to a more visible activist’s identity and a greater attribution of effectiveness, sometimes associated with direct relationships and “concrete” actions. Results also show forms of integration between offline and online participation, as well as ambivalent attitudes towards the latter. Considerations about personal, social, material and symbolic costs and risks also have been discussed by participants and contribute to clarify the difference between the forms and tools of participationI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
