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The effect of tropical cyclones on climate change engagement

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  • Corey Lang

    (University of Rhode Island)

  • John David Ryder

    (University of Rhode Island)

Abstract

Personal experience can influence our attitudes and actions concerning climate change. This paper examines the experience-perception link in relation to tropical cyclones using a distinctly revealed preference approach, mitigating biases of prior research in this area. Specifically, we study how people alter their internet searches related to climate change in response to tropical cyclones. Using data for the United States 2006–2012, results suggest that searches related to climate change increase with a lag in the months following an event. This finding indicates that the people are connecting tropical cyclones to the broader narrative of climate change in the aftermath of an event and there may be a window of opportunity for building public support for policy action.

Suggested Citation

  • Corey Lang & John David Ryder, 2016. "The effect of tropical cyclones on climate change engagement," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 135(3), pages 625-638, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:135:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s10584-015-1590-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-015-1590-0
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    Cited by:

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    2. Catherine E. Lambert & Jason R. Holley & Katherine A. McComas & Natalie P. Snider & Grace K. Tucker, 2021. "Eroding Land and Erasing Place: A Qualitative Study of Place Attachment, Risk Perception, and Coastal Land Loss in Southern Louisiana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, June.
    3. Matthew R. Sloggy & Jordan F. Suter & Mani Rouhi Rad & Dale T. Manning & Chris Goemans, 2021. "Changing opinions on a changing climate: the effects of natural disasters on public perceptions of climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 168(3), pages 1-26, October.
    4. Mina Khodadad & Mohsen Sanei & Christian Narvaez-Montoya & Ismael Aguilar-Barajas, 2022. "Climatic Hazards and the Associated Impacts on Households’ Willingness to Adopt Water-Saving Measures: Evidence from Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-17, May.
    5. Matthew R. Sisco & Valentina Bosetti & Elke U. Weber, 2017. "When do extreme weather events generate attention to climate change?," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 143(1), pages 227-241, July.
    6. Stephanie Shepard & Hilary Boudet & Chad M. Zanocco & Lori A. Cramer & Bryan Tilt, 2018. "Community climate change beliefs, awareness, and actions in the wake of the September 2013 flooding in Boulder County, Colorado," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 8(3), pages 312-325, September.
    7. Charles Adedayo Ogunbode & Yue Liu & Nicole Tausch, 2017. "The moderating role of political affiliation in the link between flooding experience and preparedness to reduce energy use," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 145(3), pages 445-458, December.
    8. Daniel Osberghaus & Christina Demski, 2019. "The causal effect of flood experience on climate engagement: evidence from search requests for green electricity," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 156(1), pages 191-207, September.
    9. Joseph P. Reser & Graham L. Bradley, 2020. "The nature, significance, and influence of perceived personal experience of climate change," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(5), September.
    10. Liao, Yanjun & Ruiz Junco, Pablo, 2022. "Extreme weather and the politics of climate change: A study of campaign finance and elections," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    11. Carla L. Archibald & Nathalie Butt, 2018. "Using Google search data to inform global climate change adaptation policy," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 150(3), pages 447-456, October.
    12. Francesco Caputo & Pierpaolo Magliocca & Rossella Canestrino & Erika Rescigno, 2023. "Rethinking the Role of Technology for Citizens’ Engagement and Sustainable Development in Smart Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, July.
    13. Olaya Álvarez-García & Jaume Sureda-Negre & Rubén Comas-Forgas & Miquel F. Oliver-Trobat, 2023. "The Spanish population’s interest in climate change based on Internet searches," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.

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