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The effects of turnout at major climate protests on politically-interested bystanders: a survey field experiment

Author

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  • Schieferdecker, David
  • Jacobsen, Jannes
  • Borbáth, Endre
  • Hutter, Swen
  • Specht, Jule

Abstract

Do people change climate-related opinions when they learn that thousands protested? Two survey field experiments tested how turnout at major climate demonstrations shaped politically interested individuals’ views in a German national election. Turnout significantly increased perceived movement efficacy, especially among more involved participants, and potentially increased internal political efficacy. Pro-environmental attitudes and vote intentions remained unchanged. Protest days appear to signal collective capacity rather than drive immediate attitude change.

Suggested Citation

  • Schieferdecker, David & Jacobsen, Jannes & Borbáth, Endre & Hutter, Swen & Specht, Jule, 2026. "The effects of turnout at major climate protests on politically-interested bystanders: a survey field experiment," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 5, pages 1-5.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:337876
    DOI: 10.1038/s44168-026-00349-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Markus Ostarek & Brent Simpson & Cathy Rogers & James Ozden, 2024. "Radical climate protests linked to increases in public support for moderate organizations," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(12), pages 1626-1632, December.
    2. Marc Fabel & Matthias Flückiger & Markus Ludwig & Helmut Rainer & Maria Waldinger & Sebastian Wichert, 2025. "The relationship between the youth-led Fridays for Future climate movement and voting, politician and media behaviour in Germany," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 9(3), pages 481-495, March.
    3. Klinke, Dennis & Jacobsen, Jannes & Dierse, Manuel & Faas, Thorsten & Gerstorf, Denis & Helal, Hannah & Hutter, Swen & Schieferdecker, David & Schwander, Hanna & von Scheve, Christian & Specht, Jule, 2025. "Social media sampling is an effective way to access hard to survey populations and low prevalence groups," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, issue Latest Ar, pages 1-20.
    4. Soumyajit Mazumder, 2018. "The Persistent Effect of U.S. Civil Rights Protests on Political Attitudes," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 62(4), pages 922-935, October.
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