Climate Change Attitudes and Beliefs: Implications for Persuasive Communication

• In Event: Applied Communcation Investigations: Relationships and Influence

Abstract

Human behavior is causing changes to our climate that affect every part of our planet. Communication scholars and practitioners have an opportunity to address this challenge and affect climate change attitudes, beliefs, and behavior. A survey with 148 undergraduates indicates that college students do not perceive climate change to be personally relevant and have numerous barriers to their engagement in mitigation behaviors. Techniques are suggested for making climate change more local, personal, and immediate.

Author

• Amy Chadwick, Penn State University