Environmental Behaviours: Citizens, Consumers and Communities
Across the globe, governments and environmental groups are calling on the public to change their behaviour in ways that will reduce pressure on the environment. But is it realistic or desirable to put so much pressure on individuals? How does individual behaviour relate to the wider social, technological and political context? Through this module, students will critically appraise the scope for making people behave more sustainably. Students are introduced a range of theoretical perspectives that help to understand this issue - including environmental ethics, rational choice theory, and ideas of identity and citizenship – and invited to explore them in the context of pressing environmental debates: about personal travel and aviation; waste and consumption; and domestic energy use. Students will utilise a range of tools for gathering information on personal environmental behaviour, including focus groups and carbon footprint calculating devices. The learning experience is supported by methodological training in the use of reflective field diaries, for which students will be able to make submissions in video as well as in written text. A Field Study Visit to Machynlleth Centre for Alternative Technology will also form part of this module.