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Heat Waves, Droughts, and Preferences for Environmental Policy
Author(s) -
Owen Ann L.,
Conover Emily,
Videras Julio,
Wu Stephen
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of policy analysis and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.898
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1520-6688
pISSN - 0276-8739
DOI - 10.1002/pam.21599
Subject(s) - affect (linguistics) , climate change , preference , perception , global warming , heat wave , extreme weather , salient , environmental policy , natural resource economics , public economics , political science , environmental resource management , economics , psychology , ecology , communication , neuroscience , law , biology , microeconomics
Using data from a new household survey on environmental attitudes, behaviors, and policy preferences, we find that current weather conditions affect preferences for environmental regulation. Individuals who have recently experienced extreme weather (heat waves or droughts) are more likely to support laws to protect the environment. We find evidence that the channel through which weather conditions affect policy preference is via perceptions of the importance of the issue of global warming. Furthermore, environmentalists and individuals who consult more sources of news are less likely to have their attitudes toward global warming changed by current weather conditions. These findings suggest that communication and education emphasizing consequences of climate change salient to the individual's circumstances may be the most effective in changing attitudes of those least likely to support proenvironment policy. In addition, the timing of policy introduction could influence its success.