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Published on: September 12, 2014
Effect of "finite pool of worry" and COVID-19 on UK climate change perceptions
Darrick Evensen1, Lorraine Whitmarsh2, Phil Bartie3
1Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9LF, United Kingdom; darrick.evensen@ed.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Research reveals that a "finite pool of worry" constrains concern about and action on climate change. Nevertheless, a longitudinal panel survey of 1,858 UK residents, surveyed in April 2019 and June 2020, reveals little evidence for diminishing climate change concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the sample identifies climate change as a bigger threat than COVID-19. The findings suggest climate change has become an intransigent concern within UK public consciousness.
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