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Can improving climate change perception lead to more environmentally friendly choices? Evidence from an immersive virtual environment experiment

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  • Luzzati, Tommaso
  • Baraldi, Stefano
  • Ermini, Sara
  • Faita, Claudia
  • Faralla, Valeria
  • Guarnieri, Pietro
  • Lusuardi, Luca
  • Santalucia, Vincenzo
  • Scipioni, Sara
  • Sirizzotti, Matteo
  • Innocenti, Alessandro

Abstract

Rational decision theory assumes that individuals have perfect knowledge of the consequences of their choices and actions. However, this assumption often fails to align with reality, particularly in the context of environmental degradation, where the impacts of actions can be distant in both time and space. Will an enhanced perception of those impacts encourage pro-environmental choices?

Suggested Citation

  • Luzzati, Tommaso & Baraldi, Stefano & Ermini, Sara & Faita, Claudia & Faralla, Valeria & Guarnieri, Pietro & Lusuardi, Luca & Santalucia, Vincenzo & Scipioni, Sara & Sirizzotti, Matteo & Innocenti, Al, 2025. "Can improving climate change perception lead to more environmentally friendly choices? Evidence from an immersive virtual environment experiment," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:229:y:2025:i:c:s0921800924003720
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2024.108475
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    1. Innocenti, Alessandro, 2017. "Virtual reality experiments in economics," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 71-77.
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