Speaker
Description
In this paper I present data on surfers’ environmental attitudes and actions. The paper is based on a questionnaire (n = 251) and six qualitative interviews. The results show that most surfers see themselves as “green”. On the other hand, the data also show that surfers through their consumption and travel behavior have negative impact on the environment. In this presentation I start out by analyzing this attitude-action gap by using the concept cognitive dissonance. Further, I analyze the phenomena from a cultural, Bourdieusian perspective where values within the surf-field is highlighted. On the one hand, surf culture highly values connection to nature and “green” thinking, on the other hand it also values and gives recognition to surfers that travel to and explore exotic destinations. Hence, values within surf culture leads surfers to conflicting actions. I end the presentation by discussing if these conflicts could be framed as cultural dissonance.
