<p>In the following C-Level Thesis, the geographically isolated consumer society that has evolved in the developed world is examined through discourse analysis. This research frames the issue of material consumption in a historical context and then interrogates the modern task of sustainability. Through review and analysis of current discourse in the sociopolitical field of sustainable consumption, this paper critically analyzes the development of modern consumer culture. The concept of ecological citizenship is presented and inspected as an effective strategy for the realization of sustainability and is viewed as a unifier of the many conflicting discourses on sustainable consumption. The dominant institutional discourse of ecological modernization is presented through a review of UK policy documents, and the opinions as well as alternative solutions touted by critics is noted. This paper finds that ideal of ecological citizenship has not yet been reached, but positive steps have been taken to achieve the goal of sustainability through curbing consumptive habits. In this presentation of sustainable consumption discourse it is important to recognize that there may be no absolute answer or right way to live on this planet, but rather, many ways which can, together, bring about a sustainable society.</p>

In the following C-Level Thesis, the geographically isolated consumer society that has evolved in the developed world is examined through discourse analysis. This research frames the issue of material consumption in a historical context and then interrogates the modern task of sustainability. Through review and analysis of current discourse in the sociopolitical field of sustainable consumption, this paper critically analyzes the development of modern consumer culture. The concept of ecological citizenship is presented and inspected as an effective strategy for the realization of sustainability and is viewed as a unifier of the many conflicting discourses on sustainable consumption. The dominant institutional discourse of ecological modernization is presented through a review of UK policy documents, and the opinions as well as alternative solutions touted by critics is noted. This paper finds that ideal of ecological citizenship has not yet been reached, but positive steps have been taken to achieve the goal of sustainability through curbing consumptive habits. In this presentation of sustainable consumption discourse it is important to recognize that there may be no absolute answer or right way to live on this planet, but rather, many ways which can, together, bring about a sustainable society.

This dissertation is a comparative international study of attitudes towards climate change. Using multilevel models, individual level data from the 2005-2008 wave of the World Values Survey, and country level data from the 2010 Climate Risk Index and the World Bank, this research identifies the factors associated with concern for global warming and support for various environmental policies and behaviors in economically developed, transitioning, and developing countries. The first paper addresses an ongoing debate in environmental sociology about the extent to which concern for environmental problems is a result of the objective deterioration of environmental conditions or subjective values among environmentally-oriented individuals. Findings indicate that a country's recent experience with climate-related environmental disasters has little to no effect on concern for global warming. Some support is found for the subjective values explanation, especially in countries at the most advanced stage of economic development. The second paper frames climate change as an asymmetrical social dilemma and tests whether four distinct citizenship identities are associated with the odds an individual considers global warming a very serious problem. This study finds that identifying as world citizens and autonomous individuals increases the odds an individual judges global warming very serious, while identifying as national citizens or local community members has no relationship with evaluations of global warming. The third paper examines the impact of numerous measures of security/vulnerability on individual willingness to make environment-economy trade-offs. The data reveal that higher household incomes, residing in a country with higher per capita GDP, and higher rates of adult literacy are positively associated with prioritizing environmental protection over economic growth. However, residents of economically developing countries (or countries designated Non-Annex I by the Kyoto Protocol) are also much more likely to express willingness to donate personal income for the protection of the environment compared to residents of developed (Annex I) countries. The findings from these three studies have implications for sociological research on the relationship between economic inequality and environmental attitudes, the conditions under which international cooperation on climate is more or less likely, and the quest for climate justice.

I denna rapport undersöks på vilka sätt Stockholms stad försöker minska invånarnas klimatpåverkan när det gäller konsumtion av mat och transporter. Med utgångspunkt i teorierna om ekologisk modernisering (EM) och ecological citizenship (EC) studeras Stockholms stads dokument och planer för klimatarbete. Vad gäller transporter så genomför Stockholms stad åtgärder för att minska biltrafiken och användningen av fossila bränslen, effektivisera godstrafiken samt öka cykel, gång och kollektivtrafik. Det finns betydligt färre åtgärder som rör livsmedel. De som finns är informativa styrmedel riktade till privatpersoner och företag med tips på hur klimatpåverkan från mat kan minskas, till exempel genom att äta mindre kött. Sammantaget har Stockholms stads åtgärder ett mer lokalt än globalt fokus, åtgärderna bygger mer på innovationer än beteendeförändringar. Den uttalade anledningen för förändring handlar om god livskvalitet i Stockholm snarare än global rättvisa. Detta leder till slutsatsen att Stockholms stads klimatarbete präglas av EM i betydligt större utsträckning än EC. Detta är inte oväntat eftersom EM länge varit dominerande i den miljöpolitiska debatten. EM har fått mycket kritik för att sakna globalt perspektiv, därför kan dess effektivitet för att lösa globala problem ifrågasättas.

Despite decades of research on environmental behavior, it is unknown how various political actors aid in the development of ecological citizenship (EC). The purpose of this correlational study was to determine the relationship between environmental worldview (NEP) and willingness to take action (WTTA) among political actors within 5 states: Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The overarching research question examined how EC can be increased within the 5-state region by identifying the similarities and differences in NEP and WTTA between state legislators, state partners, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model provided the theoretical framework for the study. Out of 1,800 invited participants, 117 state legislators, 328 formal partnership directors, and 237 NGO administrators from the 5-state region participated in an online survey that measured their NEP, WTTA, and endorsement of EC principles. Nearly 20% of all respondents endorsed EC indicated by a high NEP and a high WTTA. Results of correlational analyses found a significant positive relationship between NEP and WTTA for each group. Further regression analysis found variation in group WTTA attributable to NEP varied from 32% for partnership directors and 36% for NGO administrators to 61% for state legislators. These findings indicated that EC can be affected by both private and public stakeholders. The implications for positive social change include demonstrating how state governments, in partnership with NGOs and other agencies, can increase EC within their states, and how improved partnerships can increase local opportunities to foster EC.

This research project explores how the method of infrastructuring can be used for ecological citizenship. A case-study analysis identified where in the infrastructuring process measures for ecological citizenship can be taken. In a co-creative workshop concept targeted towards the identification of boundary topics and the formation of a public, the empowering features of the re-shaping of mental models are explored. Infrastructuring is considered as a design method which is able to enhance citizen participation for ecological citizenship.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T20:21:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arlindo Manuel Esteves Rodrigues.pdf: 2499519 bytes, checksum: 67fdd69ebdf86f19551f2e7071cea125 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-06 / The thesis develops a study on Ecosocialism, a current of thought and socio-environmental action, and is mainly aimed to analyze the progress and challenges of international ecosocialism, deeper political parties of France and Brazil. Therefore, the thesis presents at first, the motivations for the concrete actions of eco-socialism. It discusses how is developing the socio-environmental crisis and risks for humanity. It then sets the various forms of social and environmental proposals to address the crisis, their differences and similarities. Then, it presents in more detail the form of thought and action of ecosocialist current and how it is present in the French party politics. Ecosocialism in Brazilian party politics is analyzed from the aspects of its history and perspectives. The survey results show that, despite its limitations, namely the resistance of the traditional left and the low electoral performance, current ecosocialists in French and Brazilian party politics have grown in internal debates and may progress to increase their interaction with social movements mainly awakening in them the awareness of ecological aspects often already present in its patterns / A tese desenvolve um estudo sobre Ecossocialismo, uma corrente de pensamento e ação socioambiental, e tem como objetivo central analisar os avanços e os desafios do ecossocialismo internacional, com mais profundidade nos partidos políticos da França e do Brasil. Para tanto, a tese apresenta, de início, as motivações para as ações concretas do ecossocialismo. Discute-se como está se desenvolvendo a crise socioambiental e os seus riscos para a humanidade. Em seguida, expõe as diversas formas de propostas socioambientais para enfrentar a crise, suas divergências e convergências. Posteriormente, apresenta mais detalhadamente a forma de pensamento e ação da corrente ecossocialista e como ela está presente na política partidária francesa. O ecossocialismo na política partidária brasileira é analisado sob os aspectos de sua história e perspectivas. Os resultados da pesquisa demonstram que, apesar de apresentar limitações, quais sejam as resistências da esquerda tradicional e o baixo desempenho eleitoral, as correntes ecossocialistas na política partidária francesa e brasileira têm crescido nos debates internos e podem evoluir ao aumentar sua interação com os movimentos sociais, principalmente despertando neles a consciência dos aspectos ecológicos, muitas vezes, já presentes nas suas pautas

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T14:55:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arlindo Manuel Esteves Rodrigues.pdf: 2499519 bytes, checksum: 67fdd69ebdf86f19551f2e7071cea125 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-06 / The thesis develops a study on Ecosocialism, a current of thought and socio-environmental action, and is mainly aimed to analyze the progress and challenges of international ecosocialism, deeper political parties of France and Brazil. Therefore, the thesis presents at first, the motivations for the concrete actions of eco-socialism. It discusses how is developing the socio-environmental crisis and risks for humanity. It then sets the various forms of social and environmental proposals to address the crisis, their differences and similarities. Then, it presents in more detail the form of thought and action of ecosocialist current and how it is present in the French party politics. Ecosocialism in Brazilian party politics is analyzed from the aspects of its history and perspectives. The survey results show that, despite its limitations, namely the resistance of the traditional left and the low electoral performance, current ecosocialists in French and Brazilian party politics have grown in internal debates and may progress to increase their interaction with social movements mainly awakening in them the awareness of ecological aspects often already present in its patterns / A tese desenvolve um estudo sobre Ecossocialismo, uma corrente de pensamento e ação socioambiental, e tem como objetivo central analisar os avanços e os desafios do ecossocialismo internacional, com mais profundidade nos partidos políticos da França e do Brasil. Para tanto, a tese apresenta, de início, as motivações para as ações concretas do ecossocialismo. Discute-se como está se desenvolvendo a crise socioambiental e os seus riscos para a humanidade. Em seguida, expõe as diversas formas de propostas socioambientais para enfrentar a crise, suas divergências e convergências. Posteriormente, apresenta mais detalhadamente a forma de pensamento e ação da corrente ecossocialista e como ela está presente na política partidária francesa. O ecossocialismo na política partidária brasileira é analisado sob os aspectos de sua história e perspectivas. Os resultados da pesquisa demonstram que, apesar de apresentar limitações, quais sejam as resistências da esquerda tradicional e o baixo desempenho eleitoral, as correntes ecossocialistas na política partidária francesa e brasileira têm crescido nos debates internos e podem evoluir ao aumentar sua interação com os movimentos sociais, principalmente despertando neles a consciência dos aspectos ecológicos, muitas vezes, já presentes nas suas pautas

Citizens of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation fight for justice with their bodies at the frontlines of environmental catastrophe. This dissertation employs a biopolitical and interpretive analysis to examine these struggles in the polluted heart of Canada’s ‘Chemical Valley’. Drawing from a discursive analysis of situated concerns on the ground and a textual analysis of Canada’s biopolitical ‘policy ensemble’ for Indigenous citizenship, this dissertation examines how citizens and public officials respond to environmental and reproductive injustices in Aamjiwnaang. Based upon in-depth interviews with residents and policy-makers, I first document citizens of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation’s activities and practices on the ground as they cope with and navigate their health concerns and habitat. Second, I examine struggles over knowledge and the contestation over scientific expertise as the community seeks reproductive justice. Third, I contextualize citizen struggles over knowledge by discussing the power relations embedded within the ‘policy ensemble’ for Indigenous citizenship and Canadian jurisdiction for on-reserve environmental health. From an interpretive lens, inspired by Foucault’s concepts of biopower and governmentality, the dissertation develops a framework of “ecological citizenship”, which confronts biopolitics with a theoretical discussion of place to expand upon existing Canadian citizenship and environmental studies literature. I argue that reproductive justice in Aamjiwnaang cannot be separated from environmental justice, and that the concept of place is central to ongoing struggles. As such, I discuss “ecological citizenship’s double-edge”, to contend that citizens are at once bound up within disciplinary biopolitical power relations and also articulate a radical form of place-based belonging.

abstract: Criticisms of technocratic and managerial sustainability responses to global environmental change have led scholars to argue for transformative shifts in ideology, policy, and practice favoring alternative, plural transformation pathways to sustainability. This raises key debates around how we build transformative capacity and who will lead the way. To further this critical dialogue, this dissertation explores the potential for sustainability experiential learning (SEL) to serve as a capacity building mechanism for global ecological citizenship in support of transformation pathways to sustainable wellbeing. In the process it considers how the next generation of those primed for sustainability leadership identify with and negotiate diversity—of perceptions, values, agency, and lived experiences—in what constitutes sustainable wellbeing and the approaches needed to get there. Inspired by the STEPS (Social, Technological and Environmental Pathways to Sustainability) Centre’s transformation pathways approach, this research proposes a Transformative Capacity Building model grounded in a Transformation Pathways to Sustainable Wellbeing framework that integrates and builds upon tenets of the original pathways approach with transformative learning, Value-Believe-Norm, and global ecological citizenship (eco-citizenship) theories and concepts. The proposed model and framework were applied to an in-depth ethnographic case study of sustainability experiential learning communities formed within the four Summer 2015 Global Sustainability Studies (GSS) programs at Arizona State University. Using mixed methods, including semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and Photovoice, this study examines the values, perceptions, and perceived agency of participants post-program in relation to the knowledge-making and mobilization processes that unfolded during their international GSS programs. Of particular interest are participants’ cognitive, moral, and affective engagement as SEL community members. Through multi-level thematic analyses, key values, perceptions, agency and engagement themes are identified and influencing relationships highlighted across the different SEL communities and programs. Implications of these factors and their relationships for capacity building for eco-citizenship and future program development are considered. The dissertation concludes by translating study findings into actionable pathways for future research AND practice, including the proposal of program development and implementation recommendations that could enable future sustainability experiential learning programs to better contribute to transformative capacity building for eco-citizenship. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Anthropology 2018