Amy Berry - “I think everyone can do it, I just don’t think everyone is willing to do it”: Investigating attitudes, intentions, and behaviours of those environmentally knowledgeable towards climate change and plant-based diets.

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast Student Research Symposium we are joined by Amy Berry (BSc Geography) to discuss her Independent Research Project: '“I think everyone can do it, I just don’t think everyone is willing to do it”: Investigating attitudes, intentions, and behaviours of those environmentally knowledgeable towards climate change and plant-based diets'.Plant-based diets have lower attributed emissions of approximately 50% in comparison to the average omnivorous diet. Students enrolled in the modules Global Sustainability Challenges and Global Climate Change: Science, Impacts and Policy have sufficient knowledge regarding the detrimental impact of animal-based product production and consumption upon the environment. However, in the dissertation research completed by Amy Berry, it is found that this environmental knowledge is insufficient in informing a pro-environmental behaviour shift. In this episode we discuss identified barriers to a pro-environmental behaviour shift which explain why those with advanced knowledge on the topic still consume such products, as well as background literature, the methodological approach, and other results from this research. Implications of research are also discussed, including how we may be able to increase the uptake of plant-based diets by removing key barriers to this sustainable behaviour. Relevant articles for those interested in the topic of plant-based diets and pro-environmental behaviour:Poore, J. and Nemecek, T. (2018). Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science, 360(6392). Pp. 987-992.Kollmuss, A. and Agyeman, J. (2002). Mind the Gap: Why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers to pro-environmental behaviour? Environmental Education Research, 8(3). Pp. 239-260.Markowski, K.L. and Roxburgh, S. (2019). “If I became a vegan, my family and friends would hate me”: Anticipating vegan stigma as a barrier to plant-based diets. Appetite, 135. Pp. 1-9. The Meliora Podcast Student Research Symposium is part of the 2024 Student Takeover Season where we celebrate the fantastic sustainability research work of our Undergraduate Students.Episode Guest: Amy Berry Episode Host: Prof Simon KempEpisode Editor: Lily KillnerEngage with us on instagram and X: @meliorapodcast