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As local impacts of the climate crisis are increasingly visible and trust in governments is weak, small community initiatives to address environmental challenges are increasing in popularity. I explore how such bottom-up actions can spark larger-scale change by fostering shared social identities, and the development of new norms. Drawing on research across diverse contexts (including community energy initiatives, organisational green initiatives, public participation initiatives—I show how these bottom-up efforts can influence broader communities beyond their immediate participants. Together, these studies provide converging evidence for the power of visible, local actions to motivate wider societal change, while also identifying the boundary conditions that shape their contribution to just and sustainable transitions.

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By: Reny Baykova
Last updated: Sunday, 9 November 2025