Understanding Drivers of Consumer Response to Climate Change Amelioration Policies
(A2020-63830)

AUTHORS

John Roberts, University of New South Wales; Gail Thomson, Reflections Research

KEYWORDS

Sustainability; Segmentation; Public policy

ABSTRACT

This paper examines public support for climate change amelioration policies by advancing a model of individual evaluation processes and calibrating it for scientists and members of the public. Previous studies have identified substantial disconnects between the urgency with which climate change scientists perceive the need for amelioration strategies and the support of those strategies amongst members of the general public. We trace sources of that gap in terms of the component beliefs in a mid-ranked OECD country. We see how the views of the public are reasonably stable over time, despite increased evidence of the effects of global warming.