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Lam L, Bradbrook D, Gale J. Tracing the barriers to decarbonising ophthalmology: A review. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2024; 52:78-90. [PMID: 38213078 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.14349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
As climate change demands increasingly urgent mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, the health sector needs to do its part to decarbonise. Ophthalmologists share concerns about climate change and seek opportunities to reduce their environmental impact. When measuring the footprint of ophthalmology, major contributions are from patient travel to clinics, and from the large amounts of single-use disposable materials that are consumed during surgeries and sterile procedures. Ophthalmic services in India have already demonstrated systems that consume far fewer of these products through efficient throughput of patients and the safe reuse of many items, while maintaining equivalent safety and quality outcomes. Choosing these low-cost low-emission options would seem obvious, but many ophthalmologists experience barriers that prevent them operating as Indian surgeons do. Understanding these barriers to change is a crucial step in the decarbonisation of ophthalmology and the health sector more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Lam
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Darren Bradbrook
- Surgery and Perioperative Medicine Division, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
- Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN), Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jesse Gale
- Department of Surgery & Anaesthesia, University of Otago Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Ophthalmology, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Capital Coast & Hutt Valley, Wellington, New Zealand
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2
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Hughes JE, Sauer JD, Drummond A, Brumby LE, Palmer MA. Endorsement of scientific inquiry promotes better evaluation of climate policy evidence. CLIMATIC CHANGE 2023; 176:69. [PMID: 37251553 PMCID: PMC10197046 DOI: 10.1007/s10584-023-03535-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Public and scientific consensus about climate change do not align. Problematically, higher scientific knowledge has been associated with lower acceptance of climate information among those with more conservative socio-political ideologies. Positive attitudes towards science can attenuate this effect. We investigated the association between endorsement of scientific inquiry (ESI) and decision-making with scientific evidence about climate policies. Participants rated support for 16 climate policies accompanied by weaker or stronger evidence. In study 1 (N = 503), higher ESI was associated with greater discernment between strongly and weakly evidenced climate policies, irrespective of worldview. In studies 2 (N = 402) and 3 (N = 600), an ESI intervention improved discrimination, and, in study 3, increased ESI specifically for hierarchical/individualistic participants. Unlike ESI, the link between scientific knowledge and evaluation of evidence was influenced by worldview. Increasing ESI might improve the evaluation of scientific evidence and increase public support for evidence-based climate policies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10584-023-03535-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E. Hughes
- Present Address: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - James D. Sauer
- Present Address: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Aaron Drummond
- School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Laura E. Brumby
- Present Address: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Matthew A. Palmer
- Present Address: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
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3
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Sorvali J, Liu X, Kaseva J. Climate change opportunities reduce farmers' risk perception: Extension of the value-belief-norm theory in the context of Finnish agriculture. Front Psychol 2022; 13:939201. [PMID: 36092031 PMCID: PMC9449493 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.939201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Global agriculture faces severe challenges due to climate change. For boreal agriculture, climate change might also bring opportunities as the growing season lengthens, if the risks of climate change are managed properly. Agricultural production is a source of greenhouse gases, while agricultural land has also a great possibility to mitigate climate change as a carbon sink. Farmers are the central group for implementing these actions. Their views and beliefs contribute to their corresponding pro-environmental agricultural behavior. This research is based on the theory of value-belief-norm (VBN) as a predictive model of pro-environmental agricultural behavior. We extend the theory by studying how opportunities caused by climate change affect pro-environmental behavior in agriculture and present differences between farmer groups and experiment with the longitudinal possibilities of the theoretical model. Based on the structured survey responses from 4,401 farmers in Finland in 2018 and 2000 responses in 2020, we found that all the elements of VBN theory did help to predict intention for climate change mitigation, among which felt possibility to perform mitigation practices was the strongest predictor while risk perception was rather an unimportant one. Furthermore, opportunities caused directly or indirectly by climate change have an effect on Finnish farmer's implementation of mitigation practices. Therefore, future efforts in agricultural research and policy in Finland should concentrate to bring forth concrete farm-level mitigation practices with proven environmental benefits and the direct and indirect opportunities should be given more attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaana Sorvali
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland
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4
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Thaker J, Cook C. Experience or attribution? Exploring the relationship between personal experience, political affiliation, and subjective attributions with mitigation behavioural intentions and COVID-19 recovery policy support. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 77:101685. [PMID: 34539026 PMCID: PMC8442554 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Scholars argue that personal experience with climate change related impacts can increase public engagement, with mixed empirical evidence. Previous studies have almost exclusively focussed on individuals' experience with extreme weather events, even as scientific research on health impacts of climate change is burgeoning. This article extends previous research in the domain of public perceptions about climate-related public health impacts. Results from a nationally representative sample survey in New Zealand indicates that subjective attribution of infectious disease outbreaks to climate change and to human impact on the environment is positively associated with mitigation behavioural intentions and climate-focussed COVID-19 economic recovery policies. In contrast, knowledge about COVID-19 and self-reported economic impact due to COVID-19 is not associated with policy support. Moreover, significant interaction between political affiliation and subjective attribution to climate change on policy support indicate that learning about the links between health and climate change will particularly help increase mitigation engagement among right-leaning individuals. Subjective attribution may be the key to help translate personal experience to personal engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagadish Thaker
- School of Communication, Journalism & Marketing, Massey University, New Zealand
| | - Christopher Cook
- School of Communication, Journalism & Marketing, Massey University, New Zealand
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5
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Tyagi A, Uyheng J, Carley KM. Heated conversations in a warming world: affective polarization in online climate change discourse follows real-world climate anomalies. SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS AND MINING 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13278-021-00792-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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6
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Shreedhar G. Evaluating the impact of storytelling in Facebook advertisements on wildlife conservation engagement: Lessons and challenges. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ganga Shreedhar
- The London School of Economics & Political Science London UK
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7
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Priestley RK, Heine Z, Milfont TL. Public understanding of climate change-related sea-level rise. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254348. [PMID: 34242339 PMCID: PMC8270426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sea-level rise resulting from climate change is impacting coasts around the planet. There is strong scientific consensus about the amount of sea-level rise to 2050 (0.24-0.32 m) and a range of projections to 2100, which vary depending on the approach used and the mitigation measures taken to reduce carbon emissions. Despite this strong scientific consensus regarding the reality of climate change-related sea-level rise, and the associated need to engage publics in adaptation and mitigation efforts, there is a lack of empirical evidence regarding people's understanding of the issue. Here we investigate public understanding of the amount, rate and causes of sea-level rise. Data from a representative sample of New Zealand adults showed a suprising tendency for the public to overestimate the scientifically plausible amount of sea-level rise by 2100 and to identify melting sea ice as its primary causal mechanism. These findings will be valuable for scientists communicating about sea-level rise, communicators seeking to engage publics on the issue of sea-level rise, and media reporting on sea-level rise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K. Priestley
- Centre for Science in Society, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Zoë Heine
- Centre for Science in Society, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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8
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Hopwood CJ, Schwaba T, Milfont TL, Sibley CG, Bleidorn W. Personality change and sustainability attitudes and behaviors. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/08902070211016260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Withstanding the climate crisis will depend in part on individuals behaving in a more environmentally sustainable manner. However, relatively little is known about the individual factors that promote sustainable attitudes and behaviors (SABs). Although there are established cross-sectional associations between personality traits and SABs, it is unclear whether changes in personality are related to increases in SABs over time, and how personality is differentially related to specific SABs. Using data from 61,479 participants in New Zealand, we tested preregistered hypotheses about how personality codevelops with valuing the environment, believing in climate change, concern about climate change, personal environmental efficacy, personal environmental sacrifice, and support for the Green Party. We found that SABs generally increased from 2009 to 2017, although there was variation across age cohorts, SAB variables, and samples. We replicated concurrent correlations between broad personality traits—particularly Agreeableness, Openness, and Honesty/Humility—and SABs and present novel evidence that increases in SAB are related to changes in traits, particularly Agreeableness. These findings have implications for both understanding the factors associated with changes in SABs over time and understanding the factors that drive personality change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ted Schwaba
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, USA
| | | | - Chris G Sibley
- Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Wiebke Bleidorn
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, USA
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Encouraging Individuals to Adapt to Climate Change: Relations between Coping Strategies and Psychological Distance. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13020992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Experts agree that the environmental situation in relation to climate change requires that populations mobilize. In this respect, research on psychological distance shows that the fact of perceiving an event as concrete leads individuals to adapt to this environmental issue. The first aim of this research study is to identify the different types of environmental coping as regards climate change. The second objective is to study the relations between psychological distance relative to climate change and environmental coping strategies via a quasi-experimental protocol. In order to do this, 345 participants were assigned to a group where climate change was presented as more or less distant from a spatial, temporal, social or hypothetical point of view. On the one hand, the results enable the identification of two second-order factors regarding coping strategies in relation to climate change: Strategies centered on accepting climate change and those centered on minimizing its gravity. On the other hand, covariance analyses and path analyses show that, in general, a small psychological distance in relation to climate change is likely to be associated with more strategies centered on accepting climate change and fewer strategies focused on minimizing its gravity. This study leads us to ponder the pertinence of considering the psychological distance model, notably during awareness-raising campaigns.
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Salazar-Ceballos A, Álvarez-Miño L. Empatía y percepción del riesgo del cambio climático en estudiantes de Ciencias de la Salud. DUAZARY 2020. [DOI: 10.21676/2389783x.3317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Para determinar el aumento de los niveles de empatía y percepción del riesgo del cambio climático en estudiantes universitarios de la salud se realizó un estudio cuasi-experimental. La intervención fue una estrategia educativa. Se seleccionaron por conveniencia dos grupos de estudiantes de ciencias de la salud. Los niveles de empatía se midieron con la Escala de Empatía Médica de Jefferson versión estudiantes y de la Encuesta de percepción sobre riesgo al cambio climático como una amenaza para la salud humana se midieron dos ítems: índice de percepción de riesgo y conocimiento sobre los efectos en la salud por causa del cambio climático. Se encontraron diferencias entre pre y post-test (p < 0,05). En el pre-test ambos grupos presentaron niveles de empatía altos con un promedio de 107. Para el post-test, el grupo experimental, presentó un aumento estadísticamente significativo en los niveles de empatía. Se establecieron correlaciones significativas entre empatía global y factores de empatía: cuidado con compasión y toma de perspectiva; y correlación significativa entre el factor de empatía Cuidado con compasión y Conocimiento sobre los efectos en la salud por el cambio climático. Este trabajo evidenció como una estrategia educativa puede fomentar la empatía en estudiantes de la salud.
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Milfont TL, Poortinga W, Sibley CG. Does having children increase environmental concern? Testing parenthood effects with longitudinal data from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230361. [PMID: 32187216 PMCID: PMC7080276 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Having children is a transformative experience and may change the way people think about the future. Parents invest time, energy and resources to ensure the survival and reproductive success of offspring. Having children may also induce environmental concerns and investments in actions aimed at guaranteeing the quality of natural resources available to offspring. However, there is limited empirical support for this parenthood effect, and little is known about how environmental attitudes and behaviour change over time following the birth of a child. This pre-registered study uses data from the first seven waves (2009-2015) of the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study-a longitudinal national probability study of social attitudes, personality, and health outcomes-with multilevel interrupted time series analysis. Respondents' belief in the reality and causes of climate change, sacrifices to standard of living to protect the environment, and changes in daily routine to protect the environment did not change significantly following the birth of a child; and nor were there changes in the underlying trends of attitudes or pre-birth anticipation effects. The study further found no gender differences in the attitudinal effects of childbirth. Additional exploratory analyses suggest that becoming a parent for the first time may increase beliefs in the reality of climate change but does not appear to change other environmental attitudes. Overall, our findings provide little empirical evidence for parenthood effects on environmentalism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taciano L. Milfont
- School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
| | - Wouter Poortinga
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Chris G. Sibley
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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12
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Ye Q, Anwar MA, Zhou R, Asmi F, Ahmad I. China's green future and household solid waste: Challenges and prospects. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 105:328-338. [PMID: 32113124 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
China is facing the dual challenge of economic development and environment protection. Recently, Shanghai (tier-1 city) implemented the pilot project of household solid waste (HSW) management and expects to execute a similar project in 45 cities across China by 2020. The current research's aim is to examine the pilot project's progress by comparing it with existing HSW management practice in other cities. From a theoretical perspective, a socio-ecological framework is used to examine citizens' HSW sorting behavior (HSWSB), which is further mapped based on the theory of planned behavior to enrich the findings. A total of 1409 citizen responses are utilized to generalize the findings. The study concludes that replicating tier-1 practices in other cities could produce unsatisfactory results. The regulatory environment should focus on comparatively long-lasting citizen behavior change by designing a citizen-centric approach (i.e., awareness campaigns) related to ecological concerns (i.e., climate change) because it could define the future of HSWSB practice in Chinese society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Ye
- FuYang Normal University, FuYang, Anhui, China
| | | | - Rongting Zhou
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fahad Asmi
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Intikhab Ahmad
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Chandra P, Gale J, Murray N. New Zealand ophthalmologists' opinions and behaviours on climate, carbon and sustainability. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2020; 48:427-433. [PMID: 32048791 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.13727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Ophthalmology faces imperatives to improve sustainability, but there is uncertainty about how to respond. BACKGROUND We sought New Zealand ophthalmologists' opinions on climate change, sustainability and the role of ophthalmologists in responding to these issues, as well as information on the extent that ophthalmology practices are acting on sustainability. DESIGN Anonymous online survey of New Zealand fellows and trainees (178) of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) was conducted. PARTICIPANTS Forty-seven respondents (response rate 26%) were included in the study. METHODS Respondents were asked their level of agreement with statements on climate, health and sustainability and invited to comment. Current sustainability activities were collected from clinical leaders and directors of hospital departments and private practices. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Distribution of agreement scores was the main outcome measure. RESULTS Agreement with mainstream positions on climate change was as expected. A minority of up to 19% expressed the opinion that climate change was not due to human activity, and did not require mitigation. Younger ophthalmologists tended to have greater agreement with the need for broad-based political action on climate mitigation than those aged over 50 years. Most practices had room to improve on reducing waste, travel and carbon footprints. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The majority of New Zealand ophthalmologists are concerned about anthropogenic climate change. Currently, sustainability is not a performance indicator for New Zealand district health boards, so there is limited incentive to drive improvements. These data form a reference point to compare future opinions and ophthalmology carbon footprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Chandra
- Surgery and Anaesthesia, University of Otago Wellington (UOW), Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jesse Gale
- Surgery and Anaesthesia, University of Otago Wellington (UOW), Wellington, New Zealand.,Eye Clinic, Capital and Coast District Health Board (CCDHB), Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Neil Murray
- Rotorua Eye Clinic, Lakes District Health Board (LDHB), Rotorua, New Zealand
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14
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Kerr JR, Wilson MS. Changes in perceived scientific consensus shift beliefs about climate change and GM food safety. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200295. [PMID: 29979762 PMCID: PMC6034897 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite an overwhelming scientific consensus, a sizable minority of people doubt that human activity is causing climate change. Communicating the existence of a scientific consensus has been suggested as a way to correct individuals' misperceptions about human-caused climate change and other scientific issues, though empirical support is mixed. We report an experiment in which psychology students were presented with consensus information about two issues, and subsequently reported their perception of the level of consensus and extent of their endorsement of those issues. We find that messages about scientific consensus on the reality of anthropogenic climate change and the safety of genetically modified food shift perceptions of scientific consensus. Using mediation models we also show that, for both these issues, high consensus messages also increase reported personal agreement with the scientific consensus, mediated by changes in perceptions of a scientific consensus. This confirms the role of perceived consensus in informing personal beliefs about climate change, though results indicate the impact of single, one-off messages may be limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R. Kerr
- School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Marc Stewart Wilson
- School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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