Trial lecture: 'The impact of climate change on biodiversity: scientific evidence and public perceptions of the problem'
Time and place: June 25, 2025 11:15 AM, Nucleus, Bikuben, Kristine Bonnevies hus
Main findings
Climate change is already reshaping our world, but certain climate tipping points - such as the collapse of major ice sheets or the slowdown of ocean currents - could trigger abrupt and irreversible changes. Climate tipping points represent a fundamental shift: they show that climate change is not always gradual or predictable. Instead, once critical thresholds are crossed, change can become self-reinforcing and difficult to undo.
This PhD research investigates how people in Norway respond to information about climate tipping points. The findings show that learning about these risks may increase concern and urgency but also reveal how complex and difficult this information is to communicate. Many people still view climate change as slow and distant, making it harder to grasp the need for immediate action.
The research also explores Norway’s unique position: a somewhat climate-conscious nation deeply invested in fossil fuels. It finds that even individuals who express concern about climate change may still support oil and gas activities, exposing a striking gap between values and actions. Bridging that contradiction requires not just facts, but new ways of thinking about time, responsibility, and the future.
By studying how people understand climate tipping points, this work highlights the importance of long-term thinking and better communication to inspire faster, more decisive climate action.
Adjudication committee
Prof. Ilona M. Otto, University of Graz
Researcher Marit Ruge Bjærke, University of Bergen
Prof. Sanne Boessenkool, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo
Chair of defense
Prof. Anne Krag Brysting, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo
Supervisors
Prof. Dag Hessen, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo
Prof. Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Department of Social Anthropology, University of Oslo
Postdoctoral fellow Manjana Milkoreit, Department of Sociology and Human Geography, University of Oslo