Examining Contrasting Influences of Extreme Weather Experiences on Individual Climate Activism

Authors

  • Joshua Ettinger Orcid
    School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
  • Peter Walton Orcid
    School of Earth and the Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
  • James Painter Orcid
    Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
  • Kelly S. Fielding Orcid
    School of Communication and Arts, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
  • Robyn Gulliver Orcid
    School of Communication and Arts, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
  • Friederike E. L. Otto Orcid
    Grantham Institute for Climate Change, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Researchers have examined how extreme weather experiences influence climate change attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, with mixed results. However, limited research has explored how extreme weather experiences may affect climate-related perceptions and behaviors among climate activists. Given the significant role activism plays in climate action, as well as frequent dropout and burnout among activists, it is important to understand to what extent, how, and why extreme weather may influence individual climate activism. This study explores reported influences of extreme weather experiences on climate perceptions and activism through interviews with 33 Australian adults who directly experienced bushfires and previously engaged in climate activism. All participants felt more vulnerable to climate change after experiencing bushfires. Fifteen participants (45%) increased their activism; 13 (39%) maintained the same activism level; and 5 (15%) decreased their activism. Participants who increased their activism sought to share their bushfire stories with news media, policymakers, and through artistic projects. Climate activism helped several participants cope with bushfire-related trauma, whereas several other participants reduced their activism because their experiences undermined self-efficacy (perception that one can act on climate change). These findings show the divergent ways individuals may respond to extreme weather experiences and have implications for climate action mobilization strategies.