Fostering community discussion about climate with layers of life ice cream

This study builds upon previous work suggesting food may increase concerns about climate change, even across political ideologies. Previous work examined whether reading about climate impacts on food increased concern about climate change, compared to reading about climate impacts on weather. The current paper goes beyond reading about climate impacts, to explore the potential for food experiences, such as tasting novel ice cream, to increase people's concerns about climate change. The literature has shown science curiosity and political ideology often influence public concern about climate change, but there is little study examining food experience. Participants at multiple local outdoor events and university students were offered a free 2-ounce sample of the Layers of Life ice cream, inspired by a local museum exhibit of the same name. The ice cream sample and story about the ice cream served was an engagement, or "hook" for encouraging the public to speak with researchers about climate change. After tasting the ice cream, participants were asked if they were willing to complete a survey, assessing science curiosity, psychological food involvement, and concern about climate change, as well as key demographics. Despite the novel food experience, our results show political ideology still heavily influences concerns about climate change, but science curiosity and dimensions of identity associated with food involvement also contribute to these concerns. Identity dimensions with food involvement may be a helpful way to promote more concern and thus action for climate change.