Understanding Climate Change Risk Perceptions in China: Media Use,Personal Experience,and Cultural Worldviews

Abstract

Based on a survey of 516 Chinese consumers, the present analysis revealed that climate- and environment-related media use (e.g., news and other information) positively predicted policy support in China, whereas personal experience positively predicted perceptions of risks to humans and the nonhuman environment. Perceived risks to humans and the nonhuman environment were used as two different variables. After controlling for various demographic variables, cultural worldviews, and media use, risks to the nonhuman environment, but not risks to humans, predicted the Chinese’s policy support. Results indicate that the media and personal experience have differential effects on risk perceptions and policy support.

Keywords

climate change media use personal experience cultural worldviews risk perceptions

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