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The role of news and social pressure in shaping U.S. public opinion on climate change

Author

Listed:
  • Masako Ikefuji

    (University of Osaka)

  • Jan R. Magnus

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Zhehao Wang

    (University of Osaka)

Abstract

We explore how news and social pressure affect public opinion on climate change in the USA, based on county-level data over the period 1990--2024. Social pressure turns out to be the key factor that shapes public opinion on climate change, much more so than media. Policies that increase the overall level of educational achievement will create more awareness of climate change, but only if these policies don't change the shape of the education distribution. If only right-wing news is available and republicans have complete control over all media, public opinion about climate in democratic counties will not decrease; in fact, it will increase, although only marginally.

Suggested Citation

  • Masako Ikefuji & Jan R. Magnus & Zhehao Wang, 2025. "The role of news and social pressure in shaping U.S. public opinion on climate change," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 25-065/III, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20250065
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • C15 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Statistical Simulation Methods: General

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