Climate change concern versus scepticism: The Norwegian case

Climate change concern versus scepticism: The Norwegian case

To what extent are people’s attitudes towards climate change part of broader cultural, class and power distribution patterns?

There is a widespread and increasing literature on the demographics, attitudes, knowledge and perceptions of climate change. This field of study reveal that variations in climate change concern follows well known empirical patterns on social variables like age, gender, class and education, position on the left/right scale in elections and so on.

Climate change, like many environmental threats facing modern societies, may only be perceived through science, or rather as scientifically based warnings transmitted through various media. We depend on external knowledge to define our own attitudes. Compared to situations where the dangers that surround us are concrete and tangible it becomes vital if we trust or distrust scientifically produced knowledge.

Following Bourdieu’s analytical approach this papers examines the relationship between social class (fractions), trust in science and climate change attitudes. We hypothesize that climate change concern in Norway is affiliated with the upper left strata of Bourdieu’s scheme – that is class fractions with more cultural than economic capital. In the Norwegian context (as in many other countries) these are highly educated people, who often hold positions in public sector, working in governmental offices that also provide them with a basis for power.

The study will be based on a national representative survey of approximately 4000 Norwegians. Data collection will take place in January 2012. The survey is designed to study how environmental attitudes, lifestyles and consumption are woven into the fabric of society’s social and cultural structure. It will enable us to study how approval of or resistance to climate change concern is connected to cultural and economic resources and access to power.