Climate change responses: does the nature of risk society prevent science and policy from making a difference?
Date
2009-09-14T09:02:40Z
Authors
Van Weele, Gerard Alexander
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Climate change is a modern global risk and knowledge of it exists mainly in
scientific projections. Beck’s theory of risk society, as part of the field of social
constructivism, implies that in a risk society, responses to risk should result in
changes to the fundamental causes of the risks, also known as reflexive change.
Climate change science and responses to climate related risks should therefore
result in improved understanding of the nature of climate risks and of the
fundamental causes of climate risks. In practice, the application of the theory is
less clear, and use thereof as an analytical tool difficult, as is shown by a
preliminary examination of the official response to climate change in South Africa.
The research presented here used the risk society theory to conceptualise a
model framework of how responses to risk manifest in modern societies. This
framework was then used as reference for a review of the content of the South
African national policy response to climate change and an evaluation of
comments obtained from some of the actors directly involved with the response.
The results indicate that the nature and extent of reflexive change is determined
by perceptions or definitions of risk as part of a public, political and academic
debate, as well as a reaction to external opportunity costs rather than ‘pure’
climate change threats. Reflexive change is therefore incidental rather than
intentional. On the other hand, perceptions and definitions of risk impact on
decisions relating to strategic response directions, such as debates around
mitigation and adaptation measures. It also shows that a wider practical
application of the risk society is necessary in order to fully understand its
relevance in non-European settings.