Place attachment and perception of climate change as a threat in rural and urban areas.

by Thora Tenbrink and Simon Willcock

https://go-gale-com.citytech.ezproxy.cuny.edu/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T002&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&retrievalId=f80511f1-353f-402f-a943-c8cae9f2e0e8&hitCount=197359&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=11&docId=GALE%7CA763589332&docType=Report&sort=Relevance&contentSegment=ZONE-MOD1&prodId=AONE&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CA763589332&searchId=R3&userGroupName=cuny_nytc&inPS=true

summary:

The provided text discusses the relationship between people’s perceived attachment to a place, the threat of climate change, and how this relationship may vary between rural and urban settings. The authors highlight the importance of understanding how individuals’ connections to their environment, known as place attachment, might influence their perceptions of climate change. The text introduces the idea that individuals with a strong attachment to a place, especially in rural areas, may be more aware of and concerned about climate change due to their direct dependence on the local environment for their livelihoods. The concept of red-loop and green-loop systems is introduced, where rural areas are depicted as green-loop systems heavily dependent on local ecosystems, while urban areas are red-loop systems that capitalize on ecosystem services from distant ecosystems. The text outlines the scientific evidence of climate change, emphasizing its global impact and spatial variability. It discusses the increasing temperatures, extreme weather events, and disruptions observed in the UK and acknowledges that the threat and impacts of climate change vary across different regions and communities. The discussion then delves into the complex relationship between place attachment, rurality, and perceptions of climate change. The authors express the need to understand the subjective experience of place attachment, which includes anthropocentric and geographic facets. The rural-urban distinction is acknowledged as a central dimension affecting satisfaction and place attachment.

reflection:

The text delves into a nuanced exploration of the intricate relationship between people’s attachment to their surroundings, their awareness of climate change, and how this dynamic may differ between rural and urban environments. The introduction of red-loop and green-loop systems offers a compelling framework, highlighting the dependence of rural areas on local ecosystems and the contrasting reliance of urban areas on services from distant ecosystems. The emphasis on the spatial variability of climate change impacts and the acknowledgment of regional variations in threat levels underscore the complex nature of this global challenge. The recognition that rural populations, directly tied to their local environment, might be more attuned to the impacts of climate change due to their reliance on the land for sustenance adds depth to the discussion. The text raises critical questions about the subjective experience of place attachment and the challenges associated with quantifying this multifaceted concept. The suggestion to use qualitative methods, particularly free-text responses, offers an intriguing avenue to capture the richness and diversity of individuals’ connections to their surroundings.

quote :  “People living remote from natural spaces and enjoying city life, likely with a high degree of social, digital and recreational aspects that do not depend on a specific location, might feel less affected by climate change, and hence may not perceive a threat to their habitat. As rural people depend more directly on their local environment, this may shape their perceptions and behaviours, such as enhanced willingness to engage in landscape preservation [4]. Here we ask if rural people express a higher degree of place attachment, and perceive climate change as a greater threat, than people living in urban spaces.”