Satellite event: Overcoming Obstacles to Climate Change Mitigation: a cross-cutting approach by human and social sciences

The challenge of climate change presents a multifaceted hurdle for humanity, with its impact extending beyond the physical realm into politics, society, and culture. Despite the urgency highlighted by IPCC reports, societal responses have been slow and inconsistent. Understanding how individuals and societies perceive and respond to climate change is crucial to bridging the gap between awareness and action. Various disciplines, including linguistics, communication sciences, and psychology, have delved into climate change communication and sensemaking, yet there remains a need for further collaboration and translation of research findings into actionable solutions.

The interdisciplinary research project "Overcoming Obstacles and Disincentives to Climate Change Mitigation" (2o2cm) aims to enhance our understanding of why societies remain indifferent to climate risks and to develop strategies to convert apathy into action. By focusing on language, narrative, and discourse, the project seeks to uncover the role of these factors in shaping beliefs and behaviors related to climate change. Through collaboration across disciplines such as linguistics, semiotics, anthropology, and social psychology, the project aims to provide practical tools and recommendations for effective climate change communication. By addressing specific obstacles to mitigation behaviors, particularly in the realms of food, travel, and energy consumption, the project aims to empower individuals and organizations with tailored communication strategies and prototypes.

Ultimately, the project aims to contribute to a more proactive and informed approach to climate change mitigation.