The Influences of Power, Politics, and Social Vulnerability on US Subnational Climate Action

• In Event: 2229 - Section on Political Sociology Refereed Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Political Sociology Refereed Roundtable #13

Abstract

In the absence of federal climate leadership, America’s climate action largely depends on the commitments of subnational actors and local authorities. Yet, questions remain regarding whether the scope and magnitude of US subnational climate action will sufficiently meet the climate-related challenges ahead. Through the most extensive and rigorous quantitative examination of its kind to date, this study assesses the influence of power dynamics, politics, and social vulnerability, on US subnational climate action across 136 cities and 33 states. For this study, we developed a theory-driven empirical framework—the Climate Action Resistance Index (CARI)—to assess resistance to climate action within US geopolitical contexts, based on context-specific sociopolitical and economic conditions. This study advances the growing body of literature on political dimensions of climate change, as well as vulnerability and resilience literature, by addressing the critical need for understanding what drives, and inhibits, US subnational climate action. Our findings illustrate the powerful influence of political and economic factors on climate action and climate action resistance at multiple levels of US governance.

Authors

• Rachel M. Gurney

• Alan F. Hamlet, University of Notre Dame

• Patrick Regan, University of Notre Dame