Predictors of public climate change awareness and risk perception around the world

Tien Ming Lee (), Ezra M. Markowitz, Peter D. Howe, Chia-Ying Ko and Anthony A. Leiserowitz ()
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Tien Ming Lee: Earth Institute, Evolution and Environmental Biology, and Center for Research on Environmental Decisions, Columbia University
Ezra M. Markowitz: Earth Institute and Center for Research on Environmental Decisions, Columbia University
Peter D. Howe: Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University
Chia-Ying Ko: Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University
Anthony A. Leiserowitz: Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University

Nature Climate Change, 2015, vol. 5, issue 11, 1014-1020

Abstract: Abstract Climate change is a threat to human societies and natural ecosystems, yet public opinion research finds that public awareness and concern vary greatly. Here, using an unprecedented survey of 119 countries, we determine the relative influence of socio-demographic characteristics, geography, perceived well-being, and beliefs on public climate change awareness and risk perceptions at national scales. Worldwide, educational attainment is the single strongest predictor of climate change awareness. Understanding the anthropogenic cause of climate change is the strongest predictor of climate change risk perceptions, particularly in Latin America and Europe, whereas perception of local temperature change is the strongest predictor in many African and Asian countries. However, other key factors associated with public awareness and risk perceptions highlight the need to develop tailored climate communication strategies for individual nations. The results suggest that improving basic education, climate literacy, and public understanding of the local dimensions of climate change are vital to public engagement and support for climate action.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/nclimate2728

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