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Anticipating and defusing the role of conspiracy beliefs in shaping opposition to wind farms

Author

Listed:
  • Kevin Winter

    (Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien)

  • Matthew J. Hornsey

    (University of Queensland Business School)

  • Lotte Pummerer

    (Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien)

  • Kai Sassenberg

    (Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien
    University of Tübingen)

Abstract

Reaching net-zero targets requires massive increases in wind energy production, but efforts to build wind farms can meet stern local opposition. Here, inspired by related work on vaccinations, we examine whether opposition to wind farms is associated with a world view that conspiracies are common (‘conspiracy mentality’). In eight pre-registered studies (collective N = 4,170), we found moderate-to-large relationships between various indices of conspiracy beliefs and wind farm opposition. Indeed, the relationship between wind farm opposition and conspiracy beliefs was many times greater than its relationship with age, gender, education and political orientation. Information provision increased support, even among those high in conspiracy mentality. However, information provision was less effective when it was presented as a debate (that is, including negative arguments) and among participants who endorsed specific conspiracy theories about wind farms. Thus, the data suggest preventive measures are more realistic than informational interventions to curb the potentially negative impact of conspiracy beliefs.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin Winter & Matthew J. Hornsey & Lotte Pummerer & Kai Sassenberg, 2022. "Anticipating and defusing the role of conspiracy beliefs in shaping opposition to wind farms," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(12), pages 1200-1207, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:7:y:2022:i:12:d:10.1038_s41560-022-01164-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-022-01164-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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