Perik, Thijs, T.S. (2024) Rural Perspectives: Understanding Climate Anxiety, Perceived Risk, and the Willingness to Take Climate Adaptive Measures. A case study in Tubbergen, the Netherlands. Master thesis, Cultural Geography - Climate Adaptation Governance (CAG).
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore how residents of rural areas in the Netherlands perceive climate risks, how this is influenced by the emerging concept of climate anxiety, and assess to which extent this impacts their readiness to engage in climate adaptation initiatives, addressing the gap in the literature concerning the role of residents in climate adaptation action in rural areas, drawing upon the concepts of climate adaptation behavior intention, climate anxiety, and perceived climate risks, which are further embedded in societal and individual characteristics. An exploratory case study approach was employed, utilizing the methods of guided narrative mapping and thematic analysis. The chosen case study was the municipality of Tubbergen in the Netherlands. Eighteen participants were recruited through social media posts, with eligibility criteria open to all citizens of the municipality. Findings indicate that there is concern over climate risks such as flooding, loss of biodiversity, and heat stress, particularly in relation to the agricultural sector, shaped by media portrayal and experiences in foreign countries. Residents perceive to be invulnerable to climate risks, strengthened by the fact that the inconveniences caused by climate change in their day-to-day lives were minimal. Adaptive actions are hindered by a belief in innovation and technological progress, a belief that the government should address climate issues, and a belief that individual actions have little impact given the scale of the problem. This is strengthened by societal and individual characteristics. Participants reported that they did not experience negative emotions directly, yet negative news coverage regarding climate risks did impact their mental state. Financial incentives and knowledge enrichment could facilitate adaptive behavior, as well as strong social networks and attachment to nature. Further research is needed to enhance generalizability of the results, through performing similar case studies in other rural areas and including a broader and more diverse group of participants.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Name supervisor: | Seddighi Khavidak, H. |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Jul 2024 07:28 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Jul 2024 07:28 |
| URI: | https://campus-fryslan.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/489 |
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