Knowledge, Fear, and Conscience: Reasons to Stop Flying Because of Climate Change

Much research on the societal consequences of climate change has focused inaction, seeking to explain why societies and individuals do not according experts’ recommendations. In this qualitative study, we instead consider people who have changed their behaviour for sake climate: They stopped travelling by air. We first asked them elaborate rationales change. Then, using topos theory find thought structures, analysed 673 open-text answers. Several themes emerged, which together can be regarded as a process Increased knowledge, primarily narrated latent knowledge was transformed into insight, through experience or emotional distress, important. Contrary certain claims in literature, fear stimulated many group. Climate framed moral issue, requiring acts conscience. Children were invoked educators guides. Role models supportive social context played an important part. Alternatives flying brought forward motive refrain from flying. Only few mentioned shame momentous. Instead, stopping air feeling agency responsibility, could also result positive sensation.