Social comfort zones for transformative conservation decisions in a changing climate

• DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13759
• Publication Date: 2021-05-16T19:49:32Z
• Authors: Shannon Hagerman; Terre Satterfield; Sara Nawaz; Guillaume Peterso...; Robert Kozak; Robin Gregory
• Keywords: Transformative Learning

Abstract Novel management interventions intended to mitigate the impacts of climate change on biodiversity are increasingly being considered by scientists and practitioners. However, resistance more transformative remains common across both specialist lay communities is generally assumed be strongly entrenched. We used a decision‐pathways survey public in Canada United States ( n = 1490) test two propositions relating climate‐motivated for conservation: most groups uncomfortable with interventionist options conserving given strong values basis preferences regarding natural systems broadly, people unlikely their minds. Our pathways design tested retested levels comfort forest ecosystems at three different points survey. Comfort was reexamined nudges (including new information from trusted experts) reference particular species (bristlecone pine [ Pinus longaeva ]). In contrast expectations unease, baseline forests moderately high (46% comfortable) increased further when respondents were opportunity choice after consideration species. People who initially comfortable tended remain so (79%), whereas 42% those 40% uncertain shifted end short questions, high, where discomfort or uncertainty existed, such positions did not appear held. argue that decision logic, one based anthropogenic responsibility, beginning replace default reluctance intervene nature.