Common Ground, Contested Futures: Shared Values and Divided Attitudes Toward LNG in Squamish

Amid geopolitical uncertainty, economic instability and climate imperatives, Canada’s rapid expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure has generated contested responses, particularly in communities located near new developments. In this thesis, I focus on two interdependent LNG projects in British Columbia, a gas pipeline and an associated liquefaction facility, and explore the beliefs, values and attitudes that shape local responses. I argue that beliefs related to energy development extend beyond perceived benefits and risks of different technologies; they are about how people make sense of social change, identity, and their community's future. Consequently, shifting attitudes requires engaging with these deeper social dimensions and improving community engagement processes. Building on Boudet’s (2019) model of the factors influencing public perceptions of energy projects, I advocate for a greater focus on the role that emotions, worldviews, and lived experience play in shaping attitudes.

Author dc:creator

• Brindle, Caroline

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• MacArthur, Julie

• School of environment and sustainability

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/IR-20995

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/29469