Why do people participate in grassroots sustainability initiatives? Different motives for different levels of involvement

Grassroots sustainability initiatives experiment with alternative ways of consumption and are promising agents for fostering pro-environmental behavior change. However, sustainability initiatives depend on high levels of volunteering and collective action. With the present research we aimed to better understand why people participate in sustainability initiatives and whether doing so is an expression of a broader set of pro-environmental behaviors. We tested the predictive importance of various motivational factors derived from grassroots innovation research, the theory of planned behavior, and theories on collective action, using data from a cross-sectional factorial survey of participants in several sustainability initiatives in Switzerland (N = 180). Our results revealed different motivational patterns depending on the level of involvement. The intention to use services and offers of sustainability initiatives (low level of involvement) was best explained by favorable attitudes toward participation and perceived behavioral control, while the intention to volunteer for such initiatives (high level of involvement) was additionally based on strong social identity and a high belief in participative efficacy. Our results also revealed that participation in sustainability initiatives concurs with those other private-sphere pro-environmental behaviors that are most similar to the initiatives' activities. We conclude from our results that the divergence in motivational factors between users and volunteers might pose a challenge to the success of sustainability initiatives and therefore deserves greater attention in future research

Has the COVID-19 pandemic strengthened confidence in managing the climate crisis? Transfer of efficacy beliefs after experiencing lockdowns in Switzerland and Austria

In the spring of 2020, countries introduced lockdowns as radical measures to deal with the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to strong disruptions of people’s everyday lives. Such drastic collective measures had previously seemed inconceivable in relation to other urgent crises, such as the climate crisis. In this paper, we ask how individual, participatory, and collective efficacy beliefs in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic transferred to efficacy beliefs regarding the climate crisis. We present comparative results from two surveys: Study 1 assesses efficacy beliefs among German-speaking Swiss residents (n = 1,016), shortly after lockdown measures were relaxed. Study 2 compares changes in efficacy beliefs among Austrian high school students (n = 113) before and after the lockdown. In Study 1, climate-related self- and participatory efficacy are enhanced by the corresponding COVID-19-related beliefs. Climate-related efficacy beliefs mediate the effect of COVID-related counterparts on climate-friendly behavior and policy support. Study 2 shows that COVID-19-related efficacy beliefs are transferred to climate-related counterparts over time, and that the transfer of participatory efficacy is moderated by perceived similarity of the two crises. Experiencing successful individual and collective action during the COVID-19 pandemic seems to inspire confidence in dealing with climate change. Underlying processes (direct transfer, consistency, awareness-raising, learning) are discussed

Free days for future? Longitudinal effects of working time reductions on individual well-being and environmental behaviour

Working time reductions (WTR) are a promising strategy to foster both environmental behaviour and individual well-being. It is unclear, however, whether these possible effects are more likely due to reduced income or to more discretionary time. Moreover, prior studies have only tested the environmental effects of WTR cross-sectionally, and have only tested the well-being effects of WTR including wage compensations. We conducted a longitudinal three-wave study with Swiss employees, including one group who voluntarily reduced their working hours following the first questionnaire. Between-subject analysis suggested that decreased working time is associated with decreased GHG-related behaviours, and increased individual well-being. While the improved GHG-related behaviour is mainly due to reduced income, the well-being effects arise despite lower income. Analyses over time revealed that after reducing their working hours, participants reported increased well-being, more intent-related pro-environmental behaviour, less car commuting, and decreased clothing expenditures. However, no improvement was found regarding other GHG-related behaviours, which are strongly linked to income levels. Thus, reducing standard working time, and simultaneously reducing income, may be a promising strategy. However, voluntarily working a day less per week will probably not reach the full ecological potential of a societal-level WTR

Informelles Lernen und digitale Medien

Stephanie Moser und Doris Lewalter stellen am Beispiel Museum aus transdisziplinärer Sicht grundlegende theoretische Konzepte sowie empirische Befunde hinsichtlich digital vermittelter Lernprozesse im Kontext informellen Lernens vor. Dabei werden maßgebliche Merkmale von informellen Lernorten sowie von digitalen Medien erläutert. Wesentliche Forschungsstränge zum informellen Lehren und Lernen werden aufgezeigt sowie die Rolle der digitalen Medien in informellen Lernorten näher beleuchtet. Theoretische Ansätze und Forschungsergebnisse aus der Perspektive von Fachexpertinnen*, der Besucher*forschung und aus pädagogisch-psychologischer Sicht werden ebenso beschrieben wie Erkenntnisse speziell zum Lernen mit digitalen Medien in Museen. Aktuelle Herausforderungen, die insbesondere die methodischen Zugänge betreffen, werden diskutiert und abschließend Lehrveranstaltungen zum Thema exemplarisch dargelegt. (Herausgeber)Using the example of museums, Stephanie Moser and Doris Lewalter present basic theoretical concepts and empirical findings regarding digitally mediated learning processes in the context of informal learning from a transdisciplinary perspective. In doing so, they explain relevant characteristics of informal learning places as well as of digital media. Major research strands on informal teaching and learning will be highlighted and the role of digital media in informal learning spaces will be examined in more detail. Theoretical approaches and research results from the perspective of experts, visitor research and from the pedagogical-psychological point of view are described as well as findings specifically on learning with digital media in museums. Current challenges, especially those concerning methodological approaches, are discussed and, finally, examples of courses on the topic are presented. (Editor

Wirkungsmessung Klimagespräche

In der vorliegenden Studie untersuchte das Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) der Universität Bern die Auswirkungen der Klimagespräche in der Schweiz. Dies im Auftrag der Organisatorinnen der Klimagespräche in der Schweiz Fastenaktion und HEKS (“KlimaGespräche”) und Artisans de la Transition (“Conversations carbone”). Dabei interessierten wir uns für mögliche Wirkungen der Gespräche auf die Treibhausgasemissionen der Teilnehmenden (d.h. ihren Klimafussabdruck), ihr selbstberichtetes Umweltverhalten, ihre Verhaltensabsichten, sowie ihr emotionales Erleben und ihre klimabezogenen Einstellungen