How does the dedicated climbing lifestyle promote pro-

environmental behaviour through environmental identity?

Chapter 1-Introduction

Human identities and behaviours are responsible for industrialisation, materialism

and commercialism which have helped shape (or disfigure) the world into what it is
today. By studying certain realms of human identity which contribute towards an
environmental identity, conclusions can be drawn as to their value in promoting
much desired pro-environmental behaviour. Addressing a specific target group (the
climbing community), connections and patterns can be explored between this
dedicated lifestyle and individual private sphere action regarding environmental
issues.

As recognised by many academics, psychologists, conservationists and some

organizations and governments, the field of pro-environmental behaviour is
becoming increasingly important as populations keep growing, civilisations keep
producing and polluting and people keep conforming. Individual behavioural change,
unlike educational awareness campaigns and incentives, delivers direct results in the
battle against environmental issues.

One theory which depicts the challenges faced with promoting individual action is the
value-action gap (J.Blake 1999). The deficit has been theorized to occur for many
reasons, with various physical and psychological/sociological barriers existing, both
internal and external to the individual’s responsibility (Kennedy et al.2009). In recent
years, academics such as (S.Clayton & S.Opotow 2003) have begun to discover the
significance of identities and the exposure to natural world regarding the bridging of
the value-action gap. Interestingly, despite much work on this discrepancy, little has
previously been researched into identity and its importance in facilitating pro-
environmental behaviour. By exploring pre-existing theories within the specific social
context of the dedicated rock climbing community, further evidence for the
importance of identity and the natural environment can be gathered, as well as an
indication to the extent to which environmental identities can be voluntarily ingrained
through what starts out as a simple hobby. This project will focus on the climbing
lifestyle because it is just that, a lifestyle. To the dedicated pursuer, rock climbing
engulfs their ambitions, values, social life, perspectives and even their unconscious
mind. Although it is difficult to eliminate bias, as this is an accurate depiction of the
author’s lifestyle, it is felt that an investigation of this nature relies on such a devoted
lifestyle, not just a favoured pastime or sport. Climbing is so much more, as
personally discovered by the author and as agreed by countless others.
Aims and Research questions

Research Aim

The aim of this project is to assess how pro-environmental behaviour can be

facilitated by environmental identities. In order to substantiate previous investigations
and develop the theories further within a different field, this research is aimed
specifically at the rock climbing community and how the dedicated climbing lifestyle
can develop ones environmental identity, consequently influencing their private
sphere environmental behaviour.

Exploring whether the dedicated climbing lifestyle promotes pro-environmental

behaviour through developing an individual’s ‘environmental identity’.

Research objectives:

The literature review reveals that biocentrism is commonly seen as the ideal
orientation in terms of sustainable living and pro-environmental behaviour. Does the
climbing lifestyle promote this notion of moral reasoning or are egocentric views
adopted to prevent loss of access for example? This discussion is approached by
the first objective of the study:

1. To explore the range of attitudes to the natural environment within the

climbing community, using the concept of the egocentric - biocentric
continuum.

Environmental identities are recognised as forming within a social context (Clayton &
Opotow,2003). Do the social influences (traditional ethics/ social norms) present
within the climbing community enhance one’s environmental identity? The second
objective in response to this notion is:

2. To explore ways in which aspects of the climbing lifestyle develop individuals’

biocentric values and contribute towards an ‘environmental identity’.

Are the three fundamental steps of pro-environmental behaviour facilitation

presented in the lifestyles of dedicated climbers?

1. Moral obligation
2. Social context promoting connections with nature and raising awareness of
local impacts of global issues
3. Social context supporting pro-environmental identities and recognition of
environmental concern which override group boundaries.
 3. To establish the relationship between a strong (biocentric) environmental
identity and pro-environmental behaviour within individuals of the climbing
community.

 How does the dedicated climbing lifestyle develop individuals' identities?

 Does the climbing lifestyle influence how individuals value the natural, non-
human world?

 How are private sphere behavioural patterns influenced by the climbing

lifestyle and to what extent is the value-action-gap reduced in response to the
climbing lifestyle?

Chapter outlines

The following chapter will include a background description of the key concepts, as
well as the development of a detailed discussion around the theories presented.

Chapter 3 will cover an outline and justification of the research methods chosen
specifically for this project.

Etc etc.