Search results

Since the 1980s, much has been written about the importance of including women in environmental decision making. However, when and how women are included remains an issue. The goal of this article was to explore how the historical exclusion of women from the production of conservation visual narratives continues to have an influence on conservation networks. We surveyed 121 National Geographic Society‐affiliated conservation/wildlife photographers, which produced a usable sample of 98 photographers, to assess whether there is evidence of the historical legacy of female exclusion in contemporary elite conservation photography networks. Using network analysis, we find a strong network among 67 conservation photographers, with eight subgroups. Our analysis shows that there are formal networks among conservation photographers, but these networks are sparsely populated with women. Of the women who are present, they mostly engage in the same subnetworks. Our findings provide evidence to support the notion that the historical exclusion of women from the production of visual conservation narratives has had a lasting impact on the network of conservation image producers, which may influence the way conservation is depicted to the general public. We situate our findings using gendered organizational theory.

With growing concern for biodiversity loss, conservationists are faced with increased pressure to depict animals in ways that evoke empathy and lead to conservation. In recent years, conservation photographers have called on scientists to assist them in identifying the best ways to depict animals to elicit an emotional response. Collaborating with conservation photographers, we used an original survey experiment with 1,152 participants to answer this call by comparing how individuals respond to traditional wildlife photography and animal portraiture. Those who were exposed to animal portraits reported increased empathy and decreased positive and relaxed emotions. We engage critical anthropomorphism, arguing that it is an essential tool to encourage conservation efforts and that animal portraiture may be an ideal "attention grabber," after which wildlife images can serve as "educators." As the first study to make this quantitative comparison, our findings have important implications for conservationists and particularly conservation photographers.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of higher education institution as a sustainability communication channel. The theory of planned behavior was used to examine the degree to which a student's tenure at a large university with active and visible sustainability initiatives is associated with changes in views about sustainability and changes in reported sustainability behaviors.Design/methodology/approachThis study involved a campus-wide online survey on undergraduate students at a large mid-western university. A direct measurement approach to the theory of planned behavior was used to measure changes in attitudes, normative beliefs, perceived behavioral controls and self-reported behaviors on five different environmental sustainability behaviors.FindingsOverall findings support the notion that higher education institutions can be effective communication channels for sustainability issues, as students who have been in college for a longer period of time reported somewhat more positive attitudes, normative and efficacy beliefs and more sustainable behaviors.Practical implicationsBy measuring specific components of the theory of planned behavior, this study provides insights on specific areas in which campaigns targeting college students in different college years could become more effective.Originality/valueFew studies have assessed college as an effective sustainability communication channel despite the fact that it is potentially a powerful channel to reach a large population at their critical age. This study also measures specific components to sustainability behaviors by using the theory of planned behavior as a guiding framework.

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface -- Introduction: Energy Matters / Ladd, Anthony E. -- 1. Natural Gas Fracking on Public Lands: The Trickle-down Impacts of Neoliberalism in Ohio's Utica Shale Region -- 2. This (Gas) Land Is Your (Truth) Land? Documentary Films and Cultural Fracturing in Prominent Shale Communities / Vasi, Ion Bogdan -- 3. Disturbing the Dead: Community Concerns over Fracking below a Cemetery in the Utica Shale Region / Price, Carmel E. / Maples, James N. -- 4. Mobilizing against Fracking: Marcellus Shale Protest in Pittsburgh / Staggenborg, Suzanne -- 5. Engines, Sentinels, and Objects: Assessing the Impacts of Unconventional Energy Development on Animals in the Marcellus Shale Region / Whitley, Cameron Thomas -- 6 Motivational Frame Disputes Surrounding Natural Gas Fracking in the Haynesville Shale / Ladd, Anthony E. -- 7. Denial, Disinformation, and Delay: Recreancy and Induced Seismicity in Oklahoma's Shale Plays / Mix, Tamara L. / Raynes, Dakota K. T. -- 8. Contested Colorado: Shifting Regulations and Public Responses to Unconventional Oil Production in the Niobrara Shale Region / Malin, Stephanie A. / Ryder, Stacia S. / Hall, Peter M. -- 9. Citizen Resistance to Oil Production and Acid Fracking in the Sunshine State / Widener, Patricia -- 10. Public Participation and Protest in the Siting of Liquefied Natural Gas Terminals in Oregon / Boudet, Hilary / Gaustad, Brittany / Tran, Trang -- Conclusion: Standing at the Energy Policy Crossroads / Ladd, Anthony E. -- Acknowledgments -- Notes on Contributors -- Index