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Meta-analyses of the determinants and outcomes of belief in climate change

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  • Matthew J. Hornsey

    (University of Queensland)

  • Emily A. Harris

    (University of Queensland)

  • Paul G. Bain

    (School of Psychology and Counselling and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology)

  • Kelly S. Fielding

    (University of Queensland)

Abstract

Recent growth in the number of studies examining belief in climate change is a positive development, but presents an ironic challenge in that it can be difficult for academics, practitioners and policy makers to keep pace. As a response to this challenge, we report on a meta-analysis of the correlates of belief in climate change. Twenty-seven variables were examined by synthesizing 25 polls and 171 academic studies across 56 nations. Two broad conclusions emerged. First, many intuitively appealing variables (such as education, sex, subjective knowledge, and experience of extreme weather events) were overshadowed in predictive power by values, ideologies, worldviews and political orientation. Second, climate change beliefs have only a small to moderate effect on the extent to which people are willing to act in climate-friendly ways. Implications for converting sceptics to the climate change cause—and for converting believers’ intentions into action—are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew J. Hornsey & Emily A. Harris & Paul G. Bain & Kelly S. Fielding, 2016. "Meta-analyses of the determinants and outcomes of belief in climate change," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(6), pages 622-626, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:6:y:2016:i:6:d:10.1038_nclimate2943
    DOI: 10.1038/nclimate2943
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