Part of the Climate Change and the Public Sphere (Australian Research Council funded project). A three day panel based on the citizens' jury model concerned with climate change adaptation policy. Associated research investigated deliberation and climate governance.
Problems and Purpose
The CCSP form was the third part of a research project in which 100 participants were surveyed for their response to a series of climate change scenarios (medium emissions, high emissions). Following the scenario interviews a of 40 citizens were sampled on a randomly stratified basis from the interview group based on demographic and attitudinal data, to participate in a 3-day deliberative forum. The event itself was modelled on the Citizens’ Jury format. The purpose of the event was to bring citizens together to discuss issues related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, in the hope that focused deliberations might lead to better informed and more considered opinions on this crucial public issue.
Background History and Context
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The process was organised by researchers from The Australian National University as part of an Australian Research Council funded project (DP0879092),
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Recruitment for the preliminary scenario interviews was conducted on a random stratification basis from postal surveys, where stratification involved both demographic and attitudinal bases (see Hobson & Niemeyer (2011)
Methods and Tools Used
This initiative used a citizens' jury, broadly defined as a small group of randomly-selected individuals who come together to deliberate on an issue after hearing from experts in order to provide recommendations on future action for decision-makers[3]. The deliberative democratic process is intended to result in consensus.
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
See uploaded run sheet.
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Although the primary object was research, the findings from the process were handed to The Australian Capital Territory Government in the form of a Citizens' Report.
The event contributed to a wider public conversation via several opinion pieces and television interviews.
Analysis and Lessons Learned
See Also
Citizens' Jury on Dog and Cat Management in South Australia
South Australian Citizens' Jury on Sharing the Roads Safely
References
Hobson, Kersty Pamela, and Simon John Niemeyer. 2011. "Public responses to climate change: The role of deliberation in building capacity for adaptive action." Global Environmental Change 21 (3): 957–971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2011.05.001.
---. 2013. "What do climate sceptics believe? Discourses of scepticism and their response to deliberation." Public Understanding of Science 22 (4): 396-412. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.1177/0963662511430459.
Niemeyer, Simon John. 2010. "Helping unlikely sceptics see that climate change is real." The Age, 2010. http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/helping-unlikely-sceptics-see-that-climate-change-is-real-20100615-yd62.html.
Niemeyer, Simon John. 2010. A novel idea on climate change: ask the people. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/a-novel-idea-on-climate-change-ask-the-people-1962
