Exposure to climate change information predicts public support for solar geoengineering in Singapore and the United States

Author

Sonny ROSENTHAL, Singapore Management UniversityFollow
Peter J. IRVINE
Christopher L. CUMMINGS
Shirley S. HO

Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

12-2023

Abstract

Solar geoengineering is a controversial climate policy measure that could lower global temperature by increasing the amount of light reflected by the Earth. As scientists and policymakers increasingly consider this idea, an understanding of the level and drivers of public support for its research and potential deployment will be key. This study focuses on the role of climate change information in public support for research and deployment of stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) in Singapore (n = 503) and the United States (n = 505). Findings were consistent with the idea that exposure to information underlies support for research and deployment. That finding was stronger in the United States, where climate change is a more contentious issue, than in Singapore. Cost concern was negatively related to support for funding and perceived risk was negatively related to support for deployment. Perceived government efficacy was a more positive predictor of support for funding in Singapore than in the United States. Additionally, relatively low support for local deployment was consistent with a NIMBY mindset. This was the first study to quantify the role of climate change information in SAI policy support, which has practical implications for using the media and interpersonal channels to communicate about SAI policy measures.

Keywords

Climate change, solar geoengineering, Singapore, United States

Discipline

Asian Studies | Environmental Sciences | Nature and Society Relations

Research Areas

Integrative Research Areas

Publication

Scientific Reports

Volume

13

Issue

1

First Page

1

Last Page

11

ISSN

2045-2322

Identifier

10.1038/s41598-023-46952-w

Publisher

Nature Research

Citation

ROSENTHAL, Sonny; IRVINE, Peter J.; CUMMINGS, Christopher L.; and HO, Shirley S.. Exposure to climate change information predicts public support for solar geoengineering in Singapore and the United States. (2023). Scientific Reports. 13, (1), 1-11.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/cis_research/166

Copyright Owner and License

Authors-CC-BY

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-46952-w