The first-ever detailed study of climate anxiety among the UK adult population suggests that whilst rates are currently low, people’s fears about the future of the planet might be an important trigger for action when it comes to adapting our…
New scientific insights on tackling climate change from the IPCC’s sixth assessment report
By Charlie Wilson & Christina Demski In recent years, more and more countries, cities, companies, and citizens have been trying and testing ways to reduce emissions. Accumulating scientific evidence shines a clearer light than ever before on what works. First,…
Positively influencing the travel choices of live music audiences
By Adam Corner After two years of cancellations, postponements and last minute Covid-19 no-shows, a full programme of live music and festivals is now finally underway again in 2022. Rewind to just before the pandemic, and some long overdue conversations…
The IPCC’s message is clear: social transformation, not a technofix, is needed to tackle climate change
By Lorraine Whitmarsh, Stuart Capstick, Hilary Graham, Claire Hoolohan, Briony Latter, Angela Minas, Caroline Verfuerth, Dan Thorman, Charlie Wilson Monday’s IPCC report makes clear that we are not on track to tackle climate change, and that profound societal change will…
Why is public engagement and participation with net zero so important?
CAST’s Deputy Director Christina Demski has been on a part-time secondment to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as Net Zero Public Engagement Advisor since 2020. As part of her role supporting research and policy teams to…
Climate emergency declarations: what do they tell us about universities response to climate change?
Words by Briony Latter This piece was originally published by the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN) and is reproduced here with their permission. The past two years have seen a sustained and high level of publicity around climate change in the…
CAST Director Prof. Lorraine Whitmarsh recognised with MBE in New Year Honours list for Services to Social Research in Climate Change, Energy and Transport.
Leading environmental psychologist and CAST Director, Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, has been recognised in this year’s New Year’s Honours, announced by The Cabinet Office. Awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of work she has led on…
How far did COP26 go on putting public action at the heart of the agenda? Reflections from CAST
Words by Dr Amiera Sawas Four weeks after the last gavel landed at COP26 in Glasgow, the team at CAST are reflecting on what the international negotiations mean for our work. CAST’s mandate is to research and advocate how societies…
Early career researcher to advise government climate change policy
Research Associate, Dr Caroline Verfuerth, has secured a major fellowship in Welsh Government to advise policy makers on reducing environmental and agricultural carbon emissions. Caroline, who works at the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) at Cardiff University, will carry…
Mapping the transformative turn: a systematic review of the academic literature on transformations for climate change mitigation
Words by Brendan Moore The past decade has witnessed a “transformative turn” in the social science literature on climate change mitigation as academics and policy makers increasingly use the concept of “transformations” to describe the rapid, fundamental societal changes needed…