A recent global survey sheds light on how emotions about climate change vary around the world, showing a strong link between these feelings and support for climate interventions. Conducted by researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria, the study involved over 30,000 participants from 30 countries. It was published in the journal Risk Analysis.
The survey examined five key "climate emotions"—fear, hope, anger, sadness, and worry—across different nations. Here are some interesting findings:
- Most hopeful countries were primarily in the Global South, like Nigeria, Kenya, India, and Indonesia. The only exception from the Global North was the United States.
- European nations, such as Germany, Austria, and Sweden, reported less hope overall, despite having less direct experience with climate disasters.
- People in Spain, Italy, and Greece showed the strongest feelings of anger and sadness regarding climate change.
- Brazil reported the highest levels of fear and worry about the climate crisis.
One primary goal of the study was to see how these emotions relate to support for new climate intervention technologies, including solar radiation modification (SRM) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR). According to Chad M. Baum, the lead author, emotions like hope and worry are significant predictors of support for these technologies.
In fact, hope was most strongly linked to support for SRM and advanced forms of CDR, such as direct air capture. Interestingly, fear also played a role, although to a lesser extent. Baum notes that these emotions suggest that people’s desire for protective actions is positively associated with support for controversial interventions.
This divergence in feelings about climate change means it’s crucial to consider different global perspectives when discussing solutions. The varied emotional responses can shape how communities engage with climate action.
In a world increasingly affected by climate change, understanding these emotional landscapes is essential. They not only provide insight into public support for intervention strategies but also highlight the importance of listening to voices from the Global South.
For further reading, you can check out this report by the United Nations on climate interventions. It delves deeper into the strategies that can be employed and the emotional responses that accompany them.
