Environmental Studies and Forestry

How natural disasters and environmental fears shape American climate attitudes across political orientation

C. R. H. Garneau, H. Bedle, et al.

Explore how fear influences climate change attitudes, especially among conservatives, in groundbreaking research by Christopher R. H. Garneau, Heather Bedle, and Rory Stanfield. Discover the surprising finding that high levels of ecological fear can diminish political divides and create messaging opportunities focused on environmental threats.

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Playback language: English

Index

Abstract

Climate change is a polarizing issue in the US, with conservatives showing more skepticism. This study investigates how fear shapes climate attitudes across political orientations using a 2023 online survey. Results show conservatives have lower climate concern, but fear of natural and environmental disasters increases climate concern. Fear of anthropogenic environmental disasters especially impacts conservatives. At high ecological fear levels, political divisions lessen. This highlights messaging opportunities focusing on environmental threats to build support across political divides. The findings challenge existing threat perception paradigms, suggesting new models are needed.

Publisher

npj Climate Action

Published On

Authors

Christopher R. H. Garneau, Heather Bedle, Rory Stanfield

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