Climate Change SOS: Addressing Climate Impacts within a Climate Change Spiral of Silence. Issue 12 (2nd December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gurney, Rachel M.; Dunlap, Riley E.; Caniglia, Beth Schaefer
• Is Part Of: Society and natural resources. Volume 35:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 1276
• Page End: 1296
• Publication Date: 2022-12-02
• Subjects: Adaptation -- climate change -- denial -- politics -- severe weather -- skepticism -- spiral of silence; Natural resources -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 333.7
• DOI: 10.1080/08941920.2022.2102702
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0894-1920

Abstract

Abstract: This study uncovers the dynamics that exist among key government officials working to address impacts of climate variability and change within a hostile socio-political setting. Through qualitative analysis of interviews with Oklahoma government officials, this study finds evidence of a climate change spiral of silence impacting key government decision-making processes through the suppression of climate change discourse and science. We argue that settings hostile toward climate action (where there is pervasive skepticism/denial of anthropogenic climate change and opposition to climate mitigations/adaptation policies) are primed for normative dynamics that reinforce a climate change spiral of silence.