"Without public trust, effective climate policy is impossible," warns Vincent de Gooyert, sociologist and lead scientist of a paper jointly authored with several researchers from the Dutch Radboud University published this week in Earth System Governance.
"You see this, for example, in the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS). This technology is essential for achieving climate targets, but it is still barely off the ground. Industry wants government subsidies, the government says there is no public support for this, and society wants to see industry take responsibility first. But then you're stuck in a vicious circle."
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The climate debate is currently often framed from a techno-economic perspective, explains De Gooyert. “Every solution must have direct market value. If that is lacking, no one is willing to take the first step. But a solution such as CCS has no direct market value. In addition to technology, regulations and subsidies, you really need that support, because a policy without support mainly results in resistance.”
De Gooyert collaborated with colleagues Senni Määttä, Sandrino Smeets and Heleen de Coninck on the article. Their recommendations are based, among other things, on extensive experience with discussions between government, business, citizens and other stakeholders on climate issues. They work with environmental organisations, industry and governments in European countries including Finland, Sweden, Spain and Belgium.
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"What keeps coming back is that policy only works if there is mutual trust. People often think that if we explain it well, support will come naturally. But then you mainly have one-way communication, and research shows that this can be counterproductive. What you end up with is people thinking: there go those arrogant policymakers again, telling us what's good for us, and if we don't agree, they'll push it through anyway."
De Gooyert and his colleagues advocate the use of independent, scientific advisory councils, but also initiatives such as citizens' councils. "Citizens must be able to form an informed opinion independently, and there must be room for complexity and nuance. We must be honest with each other in such sessions: there are difficult choices to be made, but people must be given openness about the options and the consequences. Citizens deserve a say in their environment. To offer comfort to local residents, governments and businesses will also have to make sacrifices. We won't get there with the current method. Then we'll remain in the situation we're in now: no one willing to take big steps on climate policy, while time is running out."
I don't know where this difference in perception comes from. Seems Ooops is from Germany and I'm too. And I mean I live in my own little filter bubble, but I'd say people I know still do things like talk to the neighbours or have some company do the maths on the specific house... So idk. I could see a cultural difference compared to someone from the USA, where a lot of people are politically opposed to renewable energy. And they have a lot of propaganda on TV and whatever. I don't think this is normal for Europe though. I see a lot of solar on roofs here. And allegedly heating pump companies have a lot of jobs and a backlog. And we used to get our natural gas from Russia, so there's that as well. So by looking at my own surroundings, and talking to people, I'd say most people aren't fooled by social media. They're well aware of their options and that natural gas already got more expensive and it's likely going to increase even more in the long term.
I don't watch mainstream media really. Just shows.
But yeah, I'm with you on that.
I wouldn't be surprised if it's one of the things on the agenda list of Ruski bots. "Nooo, please don't be energy independent!"
Well, they're definitely a thing. But I don't think we forgot what happened 2 years ago and the substantial amount of money every household had to pay for energy and heating during that winter. And how that was attempted extortion by Putin himself.
There definitely are some people who twist the facts and spread misinformation about that. And I think we have a substantial amount of conspiracy nuts and people who already are down the rabbit hole. And the modern way of getting most of the news from social media certainly doesn't help with that. But I think as a normal person you'd have a lot of family, friends and coworkers telling you how you're insane.