Do wildfire experiences influence views on climate change?
International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management
ISSN: 1756-8692
Article publication date: 18 May 2015
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the influence of wildfire events on community perceptions of climate change and the risk of future wildfire disasters in southern Australia.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was located around Beechworth in northeast Victoria, where wildfires occurred in 2003 and 2009. Semi-structured qualitative interviews and focus group interviews were conducted in 2010, involving 40 people from local businesses, government and property owners.
Findings
The authors conclude that people’s experiences of recent consecutive wildfire events did not necessarily influence their views on climate change in general or as a causal agent of wildfire events. However, there was general agreement that weather conditions had been extreme in recent times. Some attributed the increase in wildfires to factors other than climate change that were more easily observed.
Research limitations/implications
Further research is needed into the relationship between wildfire experiences, climate change views and adaptive behaviours across a wider range of social contexts. Research needs to determine if views and behaviours change over time or with frequency or severity of fires.
Practical implications
Understanding the nature of potential wildfires, and being able to prepare and respond to such events, is more important than believing in climate change, as views may not change in response to fire events. Strategies need to focus on supporting people to prepare, respond and recover from wildfires, regardless of their climate change perceptions.
Social implications
Paying attention to people’s local social context and how it influences their beliefs about climate change will allow sensitive and adaptive strategies to evolve over time.
Originality/value
There is limited research into relationships between disaster experiences and perceptions of climate change, particularly the influence of wildfire experiences.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was funded through the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, which is an initiative of and funded by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, with additional funding from the Queensland Government, Griffith University, Macquarie University, Queensland University of Technology, James Cook University, The University of Newcastle, Murdoch University, University of Southern Queensland and University of the Sunshine Coast. The role of NCCARF is to lead the research community in a national interdisciplinary effort to generate the information needed by decision-makers in government and in vulnerable sectors and communities to manage the risk of climate change impacts. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of the Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for any information or advice contained herein.
Citation
Millar, J.E., Boon, H. and King, D. (2015), "Do wildfire experiences influence views on climate change?", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 124-139. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-08-2013-0106
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited