Nature-based and geo-engineering climate mitigation technologies: Public acceptance and security prospects

Area of Science:

• Environmental science and policy
• Climate change mitigation strategies
• Public perception of geoengineering

Background:

• Climate change necessitates diverse mitigation approaches, ranging from nature-based solutions to experimental geoengineering.
• Understanding public attitudes is crucial for the successful implementation of climate interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine public attitudes towards six distinct climate change mitigation strategies in the Czech Republic.
• To identify demographic factors influencing the perception of efficacy, risks, and ethics of these strategies.

Main Methods:

• A representative Czech survey of 3,007 participants was conducted.
• Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the impact of demographics on attitudes.
• Attitudes towards reforestation, afforestation, direct CO2 capture, biomass energy with CO2 capture, stratospheric sulfate aerosols, and orbital mirrors were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Reforestation and afforestation received strong public favor due to perceived ecological benefits and long-term viability.
• Experimental geoengineering methods, specifically stratospheric sulfate aerosols and orbital mirrors, encountered significant public skepticism.
• Participants with primary education showed greater openness to geoengineering than university graduates; older respondents favored biomass energy with CO2 capture.

Conclusions:

• Demographic factors, including age and education level, significantly shape public acceptance of climate interventions.
• Effective climate mitigation strategies require policies that acknowledge and harmonize diverse public views on both established and novel approaches.
• Tailored communication strategies may be necessary to address public concerns and foster acceptance of specific climate solutions.