ABSTRACT
Unlike other more immediate hazards, responses to climate change depend on how individuals perceive the scientific debates on the issue. With the exception of climate sceptics who view climate change as a natural phenomenon, climate change is framed as a complex interpretative debate on the disruption of the natural order by human activities. Cultural adaptation to climate change is therefore dependent on understanding how these changes are part of the natural and built environments both in terms of representations and social practices. The climate change issue can also be addressed by changing social practices in everyday life to more sustainable ways of living.
In this chapter, we explore how narrative methodologies can be used to untangle the complex cultural construction of the climate change. Referring to a ‘capabilities approach’ that explores the constraints and resources that people have in their daily lives, we analyse how the formulation of relationships, knowledge and experiences with the environment can influence the ability of citizen to adapt to climate change. We contend that learning about adaptation can be achieved by exploring ordinary stories of everyday life particularly in our urban culture. These stories reveal ways by which citizen adopt environmentally sustainable practices as advised by the wider debates. The main question is whether the exploration of capabilities through stories can be a path to a sustainable culture.
