What’s more, many of us are able to switch off when it comes to natural disasters in developing countries, reasoning that it doesn’t affect us because it’s so far away. If we are concerned, the chances are it will be about the likely knock-on effect on the UK, for example in terms of increased numbers of refugees as a result of the mass displacement of people. And when it comes to energy security, two out of three of us have never even heard the phrase.
The research, which was funded by the UK Energy Research Centre, was led by Professor Greg Philo of the Glasgow University Media Group and conducted by Dr Catherine Happer, Research Associate at GUMG, who comments: ‘The findings from the first wave of research suggest that there is a general lack of commitment to real behavioural change in relation to these issues and that this is very much rooted in the current economic climate.  Problems with the economy have not only displaced environmental issues in the media agenda but have led people to conceive of ethical decisions  - such as switching to what one respondent described as “guilt-free energy” - as a luxury most can’t afford.  Behaviours which don’t meet the dual criteria of being both ethical and financially beneficial are unlikely to be adopted and policy will have to reflect that incentive-focused approach.  
‘These findings should also raise alarm bells within Government and the energy industry. There’s clearly a lot of public confusion and a lack of priority for climate change, compounded by a lack of trust in Government and the large energy companies.
‘But the findings also revealed that more than four fifths of people believe action needs to be taken on climate change, with an even higher figure for energy security. This suggests that there is real potential to engage the public on these issues and bring them on board in terms of meeting government targets and the key is making the link between global and local effects and individual action.’  
The next wave of the research will be conducted in the Spring and involves revisiting respondents from six of the original groups and setting up six new groups to assess the possible changes in attitudes and behaviour, either because of the exposure to the materials from our focus group sessions or wider changes in the media environment.  A conference launching the report will take place at Chatham House in the Autumn.  
Belief, Attitude and Behaviour on Climate Change and Energy Security on 28 March 2012 from 10am to 4pm at Chatham House, 10 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LE.
Notes to editors:
These are among the interim findings of a study carried out by the Glasgow University Media Group and Chatham House, and funded by the UK Energy Research Centre, which is seeking to determine how people form their opinions on issues such as climate change and energy security, how they process, and respond to, new information, and the likely triggers for behaviour change. The findings will be presented today at an all-day event at Chatham House in London.
The project team held twelve focus groups, with participants drawn from a range of socio-demographic groups, in locations including Oxford, Bradford, Hackney and Norfolk. They were asked about how much they knew about climate change and energy security, what information sources they used, and trusted, in relation to these issues, and whether action needed to be taken on energy security and climate change.
For more information, or for interviews please contact:
Professor Greg Philo
Glasgow University Media Group
Adam Smith Building
40 Bute Gardens
G12 8RT
0044 141 330 5983
Gregory.philo@glasgow .ac.uk
Dr Catherine Happer
Glasgow University Media Group
Adam Smith Building
40 Bute Gardens
G12 8RT
0141 330 6387
Catherine.happer@glasgow.ac.uk
About the UK Energy Research Centre
The UK Energy Research Centre carries out world-class research into sustainable future energy systems. It is the hub of UK energy research and the gateway between the UK and the international energy research communities. Our interdisciplinary, whole-systems research informs UK policy development and research strategy.
www.ukerc.ac.uk
For further information please contact:
Lindsay Wright, Head of Communications
lindsay.wright@ukerc.ac.uk – 020 7594 2669
Charlotte Knight, Communications Officer
charlotte.knight@ukerc.ac.uk – 020 7594 1573
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