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Pro-Active Social Movement in Uncertain Social Issue of Sustainability: A Case Study of Citizen Cooperative in Japan
After the disaster, there are various social movements in the fields of energy and sustainable society. The activity begins at first with anti-nuclear demonstration, which is followed by some proactive movements such as renewable energy projects and green electricity. Many of community energy projects have succeeded in economic independence and citizen participation. We focus on incentives of participant so that we can clarify the effect of diverse values in social movements
Method of Data Collection and Result
Based on two mailed questionnaire surveys; one is for investors of community renewable energy projects(2001 to 2011), the other is for member of citizens’ cooperative concerning green electricity, we have asked their incentive for participation.
Renewable energy survey shows three incentives, environment, economic, and community. The structure is consistent and more people have come to participate in because the variety of values attracts them more. Same facts are observed also in the green electricity survey. Conjoint analysis shows that the most preferred factor is not the amount of renewable energy, nor the type of ownership, but the membership.
Concluding Remarks
In conclusion, it is stated that diversity of values are more effective than one single strong value such as economic value or environmental, when we are to promote awareness and action for sustainable society.
Climate change and sustainability has surely become a key political issue in this century. However, we cannot avoid uncertainty which brings many social actors lack of actuality. To overcome this dilemma, various bridgework and translation would be necessary.
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