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But They Told Us It Was Safe! Carbon Dioxide Removal, Fracking, and Ripple Effects in Risk Perceptions
Emily Cox1, Nick Pidgeon1, Elspeth Spence1
1School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK.
Summary
Public trust in carbon dioxide removal technologies is low due to negative perceptions of shale gas. Past policy failures, like fracking, create distrust in experts, hindering acceptance of negative emissions technologies (NETs).
Area of Science:
- Climate Change Mitigation Technologies
- Public Perception of Science and Technology
- Environmental Policy and Governance
Background:
- Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 necessitates novel approaches, including negative emissions technologies (NETs) for atmospheric carbon dioxide removal.
- Interconnectedness of energy and climate systems requires understanding policy impacts across related technologies and sectors.
- Public acceptance is crucial for the deployment of emerging climate technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how public perceptions of carbon dioxide (CO2) removal technologies are influenced by risk perceptions and policy decisions in related sectors.
- To explore the role of the social amplification of risk framework in understanding the transfer of risk perceptions across technologies.
- To identify underlying factors affecting public trust in experts and policymakers regarding new environmental technologies.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of data from deliberative workshops with the UK public.
- Application of the social amplification of risk framework to understand risk perception transfer.
- Qualitative assessment of participant attitudes towards CO2 removal technologies in light of fracking controversies.
Main Results:
- Public perceptions of CO2 removal technologies were negatively influenced by risk perceptions and policy decisions concerning shale gas and fracking.
- Heightened risk perceptions associated with fracking 'rippled' to affect attitudes towards CO2 removal technologies.
- Participant distrust stemmed from perceived failures in expert and policymaker assurances regarding fracking safety, impacting trust in CO2 removal technology safety and efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Negative experiences and distrust stemming from controversial policies like fracking can significantly undermine public acceptance of essential negative emissions technologies.
- The social amplification of risk highlights how failures in one technological domain can create barriers for others, even with different risk profiles.
- Building societal agreement and trust is essential for the future deployment of CO2 removal technologies, requiring transparent communication and demonstrated reliability from experts and policymakers.
Keywords:
Carbon capture and storageclimate changegreenhouse gas removalnegative emissions technologiesrisk amplificationshale gasMore Related Videos
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