Denmark (Interviews made 18th dec 2009)

Male. Age 63. Music teacher/ musician, Århus, Denmark.

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? I think that the weather is becoming more extreme. And it also affects me emotionally as I am thinking of the future of my nine grandchildren.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? This might be draughts and flooding.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? One has to do something about it! I am not a saint myself, but we need to start thinking about how we act. Common things like driving less car etc.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

I believe that we need to insulate buildings better.

Male. Age 59. Roofer, Århus, Denmark

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? No, but it will probably affect me in the future.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? Cutting trees/ uncontrolled forestry.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes. One has to start acting more responsibly. Driving less in car, saving electricity and so on. All these commodities we uses because one is a lazy bastard affects the climate.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Improve insulation in buildings, reduce energy needs on heating and reduce use of electricity. There is no need for air conditioning at all.

Female. Age 47. Nurse, Århus, Denmark.

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Not yet, but in the long run it probably will because of CO2 emissions.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? CO2 emissions and lack of fuel.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes for sure. We have started to think of the balance between comfort and unnecessary pollution. We have two cars, so we have become aware about the problems this is causing, but it is really difficult to change ones habits, and what one sees as a necessity. We should have learned something from the oil crisis of the 70s.

I also have started to try to reduce water and electricity use. E.g. when making food, now I could prefer to do something that takes 20min on the stove instead of baking something for several hours in the oven.

But I find it a bit far out on my personal level to start considering the impact of the farting from a cow and stuff like this.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? Geothermal heat should be utilized and better insulation of buildings to prevent loosing heat. Also solar energy should be used much broader in general.

Female. Age 24. Journalism student, Århus, Denmark

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? No, not really.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? Probably CO2 emissions.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes. I try to save electricity, water etc. I also bike and don’t really feel that I need a car. Actually I think one should just follow general advice.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? Insulate buildings better is my first thought on this.

Male. Age 51. Advertisement consultant, Århus, Denmark.

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? Only consciously, nothing beside of what I see on TV.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? That the earth is out of balance. To much human exploitation.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes. We need to grow understanding of the problems and taking responsibility. Turn of the light and other commonly known and simple stuff.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? Energy friendly housing, through well thought through use of different materials and as much as possible recycling.