The Role of Emotion in Global Warming Policy Support and Opposition
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 30 April 2014
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Risk Analysis
- Vol. 34 (5), 937-948
- https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.12140
Abstract
Prior research has found that affect and affective imagery strongly influence public support for global warming. This article extends this literature by exploring the separate influence of discrete emotions. Utilizing a nationally representative survey in the United States, this study found that discrete emotions were stronger predictors of global warming policy support than cultural worldviews, negative affect, image associations, or sociodemographic variables. In particular, worry, interest, and hope were strongly associated with increased policy support. The results contribute to experiential theories of risk information processing and suggest that discrete emotions play a significant role in public support for climate change policy. Implications for climate change communication are also discussed.Funding Information
- Surdna Foundation
- Research Councils UK
- Grantham Foundation
- Pacific Foundation
- The 11th Hour Project
- V.K. Rasmussen Foundation
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