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The influence of risk perception on climate change communication behavior: a dual perspective of psychological distance and environmental values

Author

Listed:
  • Meifen Wu

    (China University of Mining and Technology)

  • Ruyin Long

    (Jiangnan University
    Jiangnan University)

  • Hong Chen

    (Jiangnan University
    Jiangnan University)

  • Jiaqi Wang

    (China University of Mining and Technology)

Abstract

Promoting climate change communication is an effective way to raise awareness of carbon neutrality and thus promote low-carbon behavior among the public. In this study, a model with risk perception as the independent variable, psychological distance and environmental values as mediating variables, and climate change communication behavior as the dependent variable was constructed. Results show that: (1) different from most previous studies, individuals’ psychological distance to climate change is relatively close. (2) Psychological distance and environmental values play a chain mediating role in the relationship between risk perception and climate change communication behavior. (3) Compared with offline climate communication, the public tends to communicate and obtain climate change information through online channels. (4) Women, middle-aged, individuals with higher education level, and higher income level have stronger willingness to engage in climate change. Finally, in conjunction with the findings, corresponding policy implications were proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Meifen Wu & Ruyin Long & Hong Chen & Jiaqi Wang, 2023. "The influence of risk perception on climate change communication behavior: a dual perspective of psychological distance and environmental values," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 118(1), pages 785-806, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:118:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s11069-023-06028-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-023-06028-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Branden B. Johnson, 2012. "Climate Change Communication: A Provocative Inquiry into Motives, Meanings, and Means," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(6), pages 973-991, June.
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    3. Anne Gammelgaard Ballantyne, 2016. "Climate change communication: what can we learn from communication theory?," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 7(3), pages 329-344, May.
    4. Z. Janet Yang & Mihye Seo & Laura N. Rickard & Teresa M. Harrison, 2015. "Information sufficiency and attribution of responsibility: predicting support for climate change policy and pro-environmental behavior," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(6), pages 727-746, June.
    5. Alexa Spence & Wouter Poortinga & Nick Pidgeon, 2012. "The Psychological Distance of Climate Change," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(6), pages 957-972, June.
    6. Brigitte Nerlich & Nelya Koteyko & Brian Brown, 2010. "Theory and language of climate change communication," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 1(1), pages 97-110, January.
    7. Singh, Ajay S. & Zwickle, Adam & Bruskotter, Jeremy T. & Wilson, Robyn, 2017. "The perceived psychological distance of climate change impacts and its influence on support for adaptation policy," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 93-99.
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    9. Charlotte Jones & Donald W. Hine & Anthony D. G. Marks, 2017. "The Future is Now: Reducing Psychological Distance to Increase Public Engagement with Climate Change," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(2), pages 331-341, February.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Nausheen Atta & Ayyoob Sharifi, 2025. "A review of the knowledge structure and trends in research on the interlinkages between the rule of law and environmental sustainability," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 2216-2249, April.

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