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Extreme weather event attribution predicts climate policy support across the world

Author

Listed:
  • Viktoria Cologna

    (ETH Zurich
    Collegium Helveticum
    Harvard University)

  • Simona Meiler

    (ETH Zurich
    Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss)

  • Chahan M. Kropf

    (ETH Zurich
    Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss)

  • Samuel Lüthi

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Niels G. Mede

    (University of Zurich)

  • David N. Bresch

    (ETH Zurich
    Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss)

  • Oscar Lecuona

    (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)

  • Sebastian Berger

    (University of Bern)

  • John Besley

    (Michigan State University)

  • Cameron Brick

    (University of Amsterdam
    University of Inland Norway)

  • Marina Joubert

    (Stellenbosch University)

  • Edward W. Maibach

    (George Mason University)

  • Sabina Mihelj

    (Loughborough University)

  • Naomi Oreskes

    (Harvard University)

  • Mike S. Schäfer

    (University of Zurich)

  • Sander van der Linden

    (University of Cambridge)

Abstract

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Yet, little is known about the relationship between exposure to extreme events, subjective attribution of these events to climate change, and climate policy support, especially in the Global South. Combining large-scale natural and social science data from 68 countries (N = 71,922), we develop a measure of exposed population to extreme weather events and investigate whether exposure to extreme weather and subjective attribution of extreme weather to climate change predict climate policy support. We find that most people support climate policies and link extreme weather events to climate change. Subjective attribution of extreme weather was positively associated with policy support for five widely discussed climate policies. However, exposure to most types of extreme weather event did not predict policy support. Overall, these results suggest that subjective attribution could facilitate climate policy support.

Suggested Citation

  • Viktoria Cologna & Simona Meiler & Chahan M. Kropf & Samuel Lüthi & Niels G. Mede & David N. Bresch & Oscar Lecuona & Sebastian Berger & John Besley & Cameron Brick & Marina Joubert & Edward W. Maibac, 2025. "Extreme weather event attribution predicts climate policy support across the world," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 15(7), pages 725-735, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:15:y:2025:i:7:d:10.1038_s41558-025-02372-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-025-02372-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Inga J. Sauer & Ronja Reese & Christian Otto & Tobias Geiger & Sven N. Willner & Benoit P. Guillod & David N. Bresch & Katja Frieler, 2021. "Climate signals in river flood damages emerge under sound regional disaggregation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
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