Diprose, K. orcid.org/0000-0001-5889-5634, Valentine, G., Vanderbeck, R.M. et al. (2 more authors) (2019) Building common cause towards sustainable consumption: A cross-generational perspective. Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space, 2 (2). pp. 203-228. ISSN 2514-8486
Abstract
The notion of sustainable consumption has gained significant traction in recent decades, in parallel with unprecedented growth in global consumption and recognition of its catastrophic environmental impacts. In this context, there is a predominant generational narrative of frugality versus excess, with younger generations often negatively stereotyped as increasingly consumer-driven and environmentally destructive. We argue that it is important to develop a more nuanced understanding of generational difference, drawing on findings from a cross-generational study in Sheffield, UK, involving participants from the ages of 16–96. The aim of this research was to explore how citizens relate to the idea of sustainable consumption across generations, acknowledging but also seeking to look beyond the common tropes of thrift and the throwaway society. We draw on theories of intergenerational value change and consider how insights from the Common Cause framework, which encourages pro-environmental campaigners to make broad appeals to engage a range of intrinsic values, may be applied to sustainable consumption. In doing so, we reflect on the merits of adopting an expansive definition of sustainable consumption that encompasses the three pillars of sustainability – economic stability, environmental protection and human wellbeing – and identify insights from our research for campaigners and policy makers interested in working with intrinsic values to build common cause across generations.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2019 The Author(s). This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space. Article available under the terms of the CC-BY-NC-ND licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). |
Keywords: | Sustainability; consumption; generations; values |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Arts and Humanities Research Council AH/K006215/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 19 Mar 2019 11:41 |
Last Modified: | 12 May 2021 11:54 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/2514848619834845 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:143792 |
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Filename: EPE Building Common Cause REVISION2 Jan2019.pdf
Licence: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0