Contrarians - their role in the debate on climate change (global warming) and their influence on the Austrian policy making process.
Abstract
Doubts regarding the reality and the implications of climate change seem to have increased in the public recently. This has implications for the acceptance of mitigation as well as adaptation policies. One important influencing factor could be the ―contrarians, groups of scientists and political actors denying climate change or at least the need to act. CONTRA will attempt to define classes of contrarians and their arguments, analyse their stakeholder networks, their media presence and political role in the climate debate as well as ethical implications with a focus on the German speaking contrarian community. The main aims of CONTRA are to help take some antagonism out of the climate debate and enable a more constructive discussion on the issue as well as on climate policies by furthering the understanding of the roots of ―scepticism (as opposed to denialism), and to create a solid basis to promote in a positive and constructive way the acceptance of mitigation and adaptation policies at different levels. The project CONTRA does not perceive deniers, skeptics, and contrarians as ―enemies, but values their arguments as opportunity to focus, improve narrations, and a source of possible viewpoints, that need attention.
Klimaskeptiker
Publikationen
Project staff
Herbert Formayer
Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. Herbert Formayer
herbert.formayer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-81415
BOKU Project Leader
01.03.2011 - 30.09.2013
Martin Schlatzer
Mag.rer.nat. Martin Schlatzer
martin.schlatzer@boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.03.2011 - 30.09.2013