Diprose, K, Valentine, G, Vanderbeck, R orcid.org/0000-0003-0274-3505 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: | © The Author(s) 2019. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Sustainability, consumption, generations, values |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Geography (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 12 Apr 2019 10:33 |
Last Modified: | 11 Jun 2019 06:55 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/2514848619834845 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:144856 |