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Climate change risk perceptions of audiences in the climate change blogosphere

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

van Eck, CW 
Mulder, BC 
van der Linden, Sander  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0269-1744

Abstract

jats:pThe Climate Change Risk Perception Model (CCRPM, Van der Linden, 2015) has been used to characterize public risk perceptions; however, little is known about the model’s explanatory power in other (online) contexts. In this study, we extend the model and investigate the risk perceptions of a unique audience: The polarized climate change blogosphere. In total, our model explained 84% of the variance in risk perceptions by integrating socio-demographic characteristics, cognitive factors, experiential processes, socio-cultural influences, and an additional dimension: Trust in scientists and blogs. Although trust and the scientific consensus are useful additions to the model, affect remains the most important predictor of climate change risk perceptions. Surprisingly, the relative importance of social norms and value orientations is minimal. Implications for risk and science communication are discussed.</jats:p>

Description

Keywords

climate change, risk perception, blogs, CCRPM

Journal Title

Sustainability (Switzerland)

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2071-1050
2071-1050

Volume Title

12

Publisher

MDPI AG
Sponsorship
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (406.17.527)
Wageningen University (2020-011)