American risk perceptions: is climate change dangerous?

Area of Science:

• Environmental science
• Risk perception studies
• Climate change communication

Background:

• Public risk perceptions influence policy and societal action.
• Understanding public views on climate change is crucial for policy development.
• Divergent public perceptions can hinder effective climate action.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine American risk perceptions and connotative meanings of global warming.
• To identify distinct public interpretive communities regarding climate change.
• To understand the public discourse surrounding "dangerous" climate change.

Main Methods:

• National study conducted in 2003.
• Analysis of public risk perceptions and connotative meanings.
• Identification of distinct public interpretive communities.

Main Results:

• Americans perceive climate change as a moderate risk.
• Perceived impacts are predominantly on geographically and temporally distant people and places.
• Distinct interpretive communities (e.g., "naysayers," "alarmists") emerged with divergent risk perceptions.

Conclusions:

• Public perception of climate change risk is complex and varied.
• "Dangerous" climate change is a contested concept among the public, not just experts.
• Understanding these divergent views is key to addressing climate change effectively.