Gail Hochachka

I support greater climate action through research, consulting, and coaching on climate change communications that are connected with what is most meaningful to people.

I do social science research on what climate change means to people—from within their own sense of identity, values and worldviews—so to better support public engagement with climate change. The technologies for developing low-carbon societies are no longer the main barriers to climate action. Rather, the social fragmentation on the climate issue can lead to backlash for climate policies and insufficient public support for climate action. I study these human dimensions of the climate challenge. I have also facilitated deliberative dialogues across positions and perspectives in polarized social spaces on the climate issue. Despite what appear to be stark differences, often the values and worldviews shaping climate perceptions are shared. Research on these deeper human dimensions is important for overcoming polarization and building shared visions for the future. Whether it is with a global supply chain, with a city climate action plan, or in the economy writ large, climate action pathways that work for everyone are needed.

This website shares current publications and research, ongoing projects, and consulting services. Get in contact; I am always looking for good ideas, new perspectives, and more collaborators to further effective climate action.

_{Photo credit: Eugene Pustoshkin}

We account for individuals in creating the phenomena of climate change. Yet we can tend to dismiss the role of individual action when it comes to resolving it.

IPCC 2022 highlights the role of lifestyles and behaviour change; a staggering 40-70% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 can come from these ‘demand-side solutions.’

But is concern enough? Research suggests that it is not; that there is a gap between climate awareness and climate action.

The Climate Action Pathways postdoc research project examines the ‘climate awareness-action gap’ from four angles:

How do we bring climate change into our awareness (climate action-logics)?

How do we keep climate change out of our awareness, such to the unsettling emotions it evokes (climate shadow)?

How do the narratives and discourses we participate in frame and contribute to our actions regarding climate (climate change discourses)?

How do the systems in which we live enable us to move our climate concerns into action (climate-action systems)?

_{Art credit: Anya Simpson}

I am climate change researcher who is intrigued by the human dimensions of this complex issue.

With an extensive background in sustainable development, along with current social science research in climate change, I have explored how we might manifest a more sustainable world, one that is diverse, just, and thriving.

This experience has shown me that global environmental issues require responses that are commensurate with such complexity. To that end, I have sought to understand root causes, to find truly transdisciplinary approaches, and to experiment with them in real-world settings. Many of the countries I have worked are post-conflict regions; most have experienced high degree of ecological degradation; all are woven by globalization, for better or for worse.

Although many problems remain unsolved, I am buoyed up by the presence of the tools we need to address global sustainability as well as a global compass set on carbon emissions reductions with international buy-in and clear timelines. In my opinion, the challenge ahead is more a matter of integrating such tools, targets, and commitments into a comprehensive response. Towards that end, I draw on my work experience in nonprofits and academia as well as skills in teaching, facilitation, writing, and project design and coordination.

I believe the way forward will need collaboration and partnerships with people coming from different perspectives, so get in contact if this is your thing, and let’s create collective impact together.

+1 (604) 445-7268

gail.hochachka@ubc.ca

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Photo: University of Oslo AdaptationCONNECTS team, research retreat Germany, Fall 2017