The Paradox of Public Trust Shaping Local Climate Change Adaptation
Growing attention is being directed towards understanding the ways in which climate change policy is shaped by the actions and interests of local governments. This study explores connections between local government’s efforts to uphold and maintain the public trust and their considerations about cli...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/2/241 |
| _version_ | 1797411597635813376 |
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| author | Olivia Termini Scott E. Kalafatis |
| author_facet | Olivia Termini Scott E. Kalafatis |
| author_sort | Olivia Termini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Growing attention is being directed towards understanding the ways in which climate change policy is shaped by the actions and interests of local governments. This study explores connections between local government’s efforts to uphold and maintain the public trust and their considerations about climate change adaptation associated with water management. Document analysis and 24 interviews with local public officials are used to shed light on these considerations in three small municipalities in central Pennsylvania: Chambersburg, Carlisle, and Gettysburg. The analysis provides indications that a paradox of public trust leads to public officials pursuing actions and considerations that are consistent with climate change adaptation, but not recognizing that they are doing so. The implications of this governing mindset for climate change outreach and policy are explored. Suggestions for countering the logic of inaction expressed by public officials that justified a lack of adaptation are identified, and the potential for state and federal interventions to stimulate climate adaptation in contexts like these local governments is explored. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:47:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f359e1b3ca5348af88122109cfb69687 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:47:27Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-f359e1b3ca5348af88122109cfb696872023-12-03T13:14:10ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332021-02-0112224110.3390/atmos12020241The Paradox of Public Trust Shaping Local Climate Change AdaptationOlivia Termini0Scott E. Kalafatis1Deloitte Consulting LLP, Government and Public Services, Washington, DC 20004, USAFalk School of Sustainability and Environment, Chatham University, Gibsonia, PA 15664, USAGrowing attention is being directed towards understanding the ways in which climate change policy is shaped by the actions and interests of local governments. This study explores connections between local government’s efforts to uphold and maintain the public trust and their considerations about climate change adaptation associated with water management. Document analysis and 24 interviews with local public officials are used to shed light on these considerations in three small municipalities in central Pennsylvania: Chambersburg, Carlisle, and Gettysburg. The analysis provides indications that a paradox of public trust leads to public officials pursuing actions and considerations that are consistent with climate change adaptation, but not recognizing that they are doing so. The implications of this governing mindset for climate change outreach and policy are explored. Suggestions for countering the logic of inaction expressed by public officials that justified a lack of adaptation are identified, and the potential for state and federal interventions to stimulate climate adaptation in contexts like these local governments is explored.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/2/241resiliencesustainabilityspontaneous adaptationanticipatory governanceadaptation by stealthcities |
| spellingShingle | Olivia Termini Scott E. Kalafatis The Paradox of Public Trust Shaping Local Climate Change Adaptation Atmosphere resilience sustainability spontaneous adaptation anticipatory governance adaptation by stealth cities |
| title | The Paradox of Public Trust Shaping Local Climate Change Adaptation |
| title_full | The Paradox of Public Trust Shaping Local Climate Change Adaptation |
| title_fullStr | The Paradox of Public Trust Shaping Local Climate Change Adaptation |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Paradox of Public Trust Shaping Local Climate Change Adaptation |
| title_short | The Paradox of Public Trust Shaping Local Climate Change Adaptation |
| title_sort | paradox of public trust shaping local climate change adaptation |
| topic | resilience sustainability spontaneous adaptation anticipatory governance adaptation by stealth cities |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/2/241 |
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