As climate change is a prominent challenge in today’s world, a global awareness towards achieving individual environmental change is necessary. This social research looks into how participating in climate strikes can lead to adopting a pro-environmental consumer behaviour (PECB). The quantitative analysis measured 105 questionnaires, while the qualitative part analysed 12 interviews with students studying in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg. Changes in PECB were discovered by looking at the mechanisms endogenous factors, exogenous factors, and altruistic values which emerge during climate protests. The analysis established a positive relationship between the feeling of belonging to a group of likely-minded people and PECB. Furthermore, an overall positive change in PECB before and after participating in the climate protest. However, the quantitative results for the relationship in the belief in achieving a change and PECB were inconclusive. For the qualitative findings, the concept of gaining altruistic values was under-represented. The concepts of achieving a change and belonging to a group of likely-minded people were highlighted by all interviewees. Concludingly, the participation in strikes only slightly increases PECB, as other factors of the person’s individual life also affect a change of behaviour.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Theoretical Framework:
1. Participation in global climate strikes: Political participation
a. The concept political participation: requirements
b. The effects of social movements
2. Theories on pro-environmental consumer behaviour
a. The concept: pro-environmental consumer behaviour
b. Value- belief- norm theory: altruistic values
c. Multi- level factor model: endogenous and exogenous factors
d. Spill over effects
III. Methodology
1. Quantitative Methodology
2. Qualitative Methodology
IV. Quantitative results
1. The effects of the respondents’ belief in the possibility of achieving a change and the adoption of PECB
2. The effect of participants feeling of belonging to a group of likely-minded people and PECB
3. The effects of participating in a climate change protest on PECB
V. Qualitative results
1. Ability to achieve a change
2. Belonging to a group of likely-minded people
3. Pro- environmental consumer behaviour
4. Altruistic values
VI. Conclusion and Discussion
Objectives and Research Themes
This study investigates how participation in global climate strikes influences students' pro-environmental consumer behaviour (PECB). It explores whether such collective actions lead to a shift in individual lifestyles and consciousness regarding sustainability through both quantitative and qualitative methods.
- The relationship between participation in climate strikes and PECB.
- The impact of endogenous and exogenous factors on individual behavioural change.
- The role of altruistic values and the belief in achieving societal change.
- The influence of feeling connected to a group of like-minded people during protests.
Excerpt from the Book
Ability to achieve a change
The results of this dimension are overall that our respondents feel like having a greater ability to achieve a change when realising that many other people were also involved, which gives them a greater motivation to increase their PECB. Indeed, most respondents are aware of global warming and made it clear that they prefer standing together to fight for it than having the feeling to do it alone. A few respondents strongly believe that collective actions can in the long-run lead to a positive impact on the planet. Respondent 8 stated that environmental protests can easily reach a chain movement and develop a positive peer pressure. This can be explained by the rise of awareness of the issue humanity is facing regarding global warming and the increase of popularity of global climate protests. Several respondents explained that participating in a climate protest influenced them and brought them to participate in more.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: This chapter introduces the climate crisis as a global challenge and establishes the research focus on students' participation in climate strikes.
II. Theoretical Framework: This section details existing theories on political participation, social movements, and pro-environmental consumer behaviour (PECB).
III. Methodology: This chapter explains the mixed-method approach, utilizing a quantitative survey of 105 students and 12 semi-structured qualitative interviews.
IV. Quantitative results: This chapter presents the statistical analysis of survey data regarding the hypotheses on belief systems and protest participation.
V. Qualitative results: This chapter discusses the in-depth interview findings focusing on personal emotions, group dynamics, and individual behaviour.
VI. Conclusion and Discussion: This final chapter synthesizes the research findings, reflects on study limitations, and provides recommendations for future academic work.
Keywords
Climate protest, pro-environmental consumer behaviour, political participation, social movements, globalisation, sustainability, altruistic values, quantitative analysis, qualitative research, collective action, environmental awareness, behaviour change, student activism, mixed-methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research?
The study examines how student participation in global climate strikes affects their personal pro-environmental consumer behaviour (PECB).
What are the central thematic fields?
The core themes include political participation, the influence of social movements, pro-environmental consumer behaviour theories, and individual altruistic values.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The objective is to determine whether involvement in climate protests leads to a measurable change in students' daily lifestyle choices regarding environmental protection.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The authors utilized a mixed-method approach: a quantitative survey of 105 students and qualitative analysis of 12 semi-structured interviews.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main part encompasses a theoretical framework, detailed methodology, statistical analysis of survey data, and an analysis of qualitative interview transcripts.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include climate protest, pro-environmental consumer behaviour, political participation, social movements, and globalisation.
How does the "sense of belonging" influence behaviour?
The study finds that the feeling of belonging to a group of like-minded people during a protest creates positive peer pressure, which can motivate individuals to adopt more sustainable behaviours.
Why were the qualitative results considered crucial?
Qualitative findings were essential to fill the knowledge gap left by the survey, specifically regarding the complex emotions and personal values that are difficult to quantify.
- Quote paper
- Johanna Melsheimer (Author), 2019, Students for Future. The Effects of Participating in a Global Climate Strike on Students' Pro-Environmental Consumer Behaviour, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/499110
