A global survey of over 30,000 participants across 30 countries reveals that countries in the Global South are generally more hopeful about climate change than those in Europe. While Brazil displayed the highest levels of fear regarding climate change, developing nations showed greater support for climate interventions, revealing a complex interplay between climate emotions and attitudes toward climate action.
A recent global survey conducted by researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Austria has revealed significant contrasts in emotional responses to climate change across different regions. The study, which examined over 30,000 individuals in 30 countries, focused on five key “climate emotions”: fear, hope, anger, sadness, and worry. The findings suggest that countries in the Global South harbor greater hope regarding climate change compared to their European counterparts.
The survey identified that 11 out of the 12 countries expressing the highest hopes about climate change were developing or emerging economies from the Global South, including notable nations such as Nigeria, Kenya, India, and Indonesia. In contrast, European countries like Germany, Austria, and Sweden featured among the least hopeful, despite their lower expected harm from climate change and lesser direct experiences with natural disasters.
Participants from southern European nations, such as Spain, Italy, and Greece, displayed higher levels of anger and sadness. Additionally, respondents from Brazil conveyed the most significant fears and worries concerning climate change. The research aimed to assess the connection between climate emotions and public support for various climate intervention strategies, particularly focusing on solar radiation modification (SRM) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR).
Chad M. Baum, the lead author, noted the growing emphasis on climate interventions in response to the increasing frequency of climate disasters. The study highlighted that hope, as expressed predominantly by Global South participants, served as a crucial predictor of support for climate intervention technologies. Furthermore, fear was also linked positively to such support, albeit to a lesser extent than hope and worry. Baum emphasized the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives in discussions about climate change solutions among Global South populations.
The study underscores a hopeful outlook for climate change interventions among nations in the Global South, contrasting sharply with the skepticism prevalent in European countries. It highlights the complexity of climate emotions and their influence on public support for innovative climate strategies. Understanding and addressing these differing emotions may prove vital for implementing effective global climate policies.
Original Source: www.technologynetworks.com
