Dear all,

I posted a message earlier today introducing myself and a research
project I am working on. I'm very sorry to post all over again, but
apparently the link to the online survey didn't come through properly
before (thanks to people for alerting me to this!). So here is my post
again (immediately below) , this time with the link fixed. Thanks for
your patience!

Andrew


Dear all,

I hope you're well! I'm new to this group, joining by invitation of
Peter Bright (big thank you!). My name is Andrew Gorman-Murray. I am a
geography researcher with both personal and professional interests in
the environment, human relations to and meanings of the environment,
and climate change issues and action.

I've just started a project on human-environment relations and the
cultural significance of snow and alpine environments in Australia in
light of climate change impacts. I'm interested in what these fragile
and already marginal environments *mean* to Australians from different
stripes (skiers, walkers, conservationists, wider public, etc) both in
the past and present, and in light of the CSIRO's dire predictions
about the retreat of snow in Australia due to warming and drying. I'm
currently running an online survey to gather data (while also
gathering archival data and seeking interested people for interviews).
Peter suggested that I might like to post a link to my survey here on
Climate Change Action. I already have 90 surveys completed, with a
range of really interesting perspectives given. I'm looking for views
from across Australia, from Queensland to Tasmania, Perth to Cabramurra!

I feel that I should warn you that the survey is fairly long for an
internet survey (ppl have told me 20-30 mins). This is because many of
the questions are open-ended rather than pick-a-box. I did this
because I sought people's thoughts, experiences, ideas ... where and
how they feel they connect with snow environments personally and *as
Australians*. I ask some questions in terms of activities and some in
terms of *identities* - i.e. how does snow fit into your personal
identity, and how does it into Australian identity?

If you're really not interested, that's cool (so to speak); if you get
half way and think it's taking too long, there's no obligation to keep
going. This is just an invitation, and I appreciate any and all help!
I hope the data can assist in making a difference. I think we have to
help using whatever skills we have - as a trained researcher, this is
something I can do, at least. I also think it's important to have a
record of personal testimonies about the meanings and importance of
diverse Australians environments. I think that meanings and memories
of the environment are as important as economic considerations (if not
more).

One more thing - I thought I'd explain the origins of this project. My
partner, a friend and I (partner and friend both secondary science
teachers) were reading and discussing the CSIRO report about the
impact of climate change on the Alps. We all felt sad about the
possible demise of snow/alpine country in Australia, but we also
wondered if it really mattered to Australians (given Australian
culture is often so much tied to the bush, beach, outback and desert)?
We thought that it could both matter and not, depending on how people
thought about the environment and ecosystem diversity ... and their
own values. (I do have my own view, but don't want to influence
responses!) And so I thought, well, why not ask people - why not
actually get some data! So without further ado, here is the link
(copy/paste into browser rather than click on it):

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=zU33zSv8O90j9xmzwNuS6w_3d_3d


Thanks heaps guys - remember no obligation! Please do contact me if
you want more info or have any other questions.

Sincerely, and with best wishes,

Andrew Gorman-Murray

PS. I'm a researcher in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
at the University of Wollongong.