• myGriffith
    • Staff portal
    • Contact Us⌄
      • Future student enquiries 1800 677 728
      • Current student enquiries 1800 154 055
      • International enquiries +61 7 3735 6425
      • General enquiries 07 3735 7111
      • Online enquiries
      • Staff phonebook
    View Item 
    •   Home
    • Griffith Theses
    • Theses - Higher Degree by Research
    • View Item
    • Home
    • Griffith Theses
    • Theses - Higher Degree by Research
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Browse

  • All of Griffith Research Online
    • Communities & Collections
    • Authors
    • By Issue Date
    • Titles
  • This Collection
    • Authors
    • By Issue Date
    • Titles
  • Statistics

  • Most Popular Items
  • Statistics by Country
  • Most Popular Authors
  • Support

  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Admin login

  • Login
  • Environmental Citizenship - An Inquiry into the Engagement of Citizens in Responsible Environmental Behaviour

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Rodrigues_2013_02Thesis.pdf (775.6Kb)
    Author(s)
    Rodrigues, Tiago Eder Gracia
    Primary Supervisor
    Meadows, Michael
    Van Fossen, Tony
    Year published
    2013
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    One of the principles of sustainability is developing initiatives that are effective in engaging citizens in environmental behaviour. This research provides insights into the adoption of responsible environmental behaviour as a means for promoting engaged environmental citizenship. It examines some of the principles underpinning responsible environmental behaviour and its relation to the concept of environmentally responsible citizenship, in accordance with the Tbilisi Declaration objectives. In this thesis, I consider the relationship of environmental citizenship rights with political and social citizenship rights and discuss ...
    View more >
    One of the principles of sustainability is developing initiatives that are effective in engaging citizens in environmental behaviour. This research provides insights into the adoption of responsible environmental behaviour as a means for promoting engaged environmental citizenship. It examines some of the principles underpinning responsible environmental behaviour and its relation to the concept of environmentally responsible citizenship, in accordance with the Tbilisi Declaration objectives. In this thesis, I consider the relationship of environmental citizenship rights with political and social citizenship rights and discuss it in light of T.H. Marshall’s citizenship model. I argue that the societal nature of social citizenship rights and their evolving character, arguably evolving into environmental citizenship rights, is a crucial element. The research presents an analysis of factors determining the adoption of environmental behaviour and how these are linked to dimensions of social dynamics. It investigates factors influencing social diffusion and the relevance of this approach in promoting responsible environmental behaviour throughout society. I adopt the agenda-setting model developed by Dearing and Rogers to further the understanding of why certain issues are addressed by society and not others, how public opinion is shaped, as well as how policy actions towards mitigation of problems are motivated. I argue that environmental problems become social problems as the result of a process of collective definition, not as the product of its objective malignancy affecting society. This process of collective definition of a problem is responsible not only for the emergence of an environmental problem, but also for influencing behaviour towards it. By integrating the responsible environmental behaviour model developed by Hines, Hungerford and Tomera with the agenda-setting model, I explore the role the media play in promoting environmental citizenship. Through a discourse analysis of articles related to environmental issues in the Brazilian press, I explore how media in that context usually frames those issues. I also investigate the role the school system plays in raising awareness about, and engaging citizens in, responsible environmental behaviour and how this process has been advanced in Brazil. In addition, the development and activities of a youth environmental movement is analysed. By using a case study approach, I explore the dynamics influencing the uptake of environmental behaviour and the relationship of such practices to the promotion of environmental citizenship. Overall, the multidisciplinary approach adopted in this research indicates that the consolidation of engaged environmental citizenship in Brazil requires the reorientation of public policy actions with the reformulation of the media and educational environments.
    View less >
    Thesis Type
    Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
    Degree Program
    Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    School
    School of Humanities
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.25904/1912/1407
    Copyright Statement
    The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
    Item Access Status
    Public
    Subject
    Agenda-setting
    Environmental citizenship
    Environmental communication
    Responsible environmental behaviour
    Social movements
    Social diffusion
    Publication URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10072/367121
    Collection
    • Theses - Higher Degree by Research

    Footer

    Disclaimer

    • Privacy policy
    • Copyright matters
    • CRICOS Provider - 00233E
    • TEQSA: PRV12076

    Tagline

    • Gold Coast
    • Logan
    • Brisbane - Queensland, Australia
    First Peoples of Australia
    • Aboriginal
    • Torres Strait Islander