This paper presents results from a survey of 344 individuals who engage in climate change mitigation action, contributing to debates about whether it is necessary to promote ‘nature experiences’ and biospheric values to encourage pro-environmental behaviour. We investigate three factors – values, motivations, and formative experiences – that underlie such behaviour but have usually been considered in isolation from each other. In contrast to previous studies of significant life experiences of environmentalists, outdoor/nature experiences were not frequently mentioned as influential. Altruistic concerns about climate change impacts on future human generations and poorer/vulnerable people were considered more motivating than other reasons for action. There was no significant difference in how respondents rated altruistic and biospheric values. Variations in responses from those involved in ‘biospherically-oriented’ (e.g. traditional environmental/conservation) organisations versus climate change groups suggest that there are different routes into climate change mitigation action, and our results show that it is not essential to cultivate biospheric values or love of nature to encourage such action.
展开▼
