Effect of "finite pool of worry" and COVID-19 on UK climate change perceptions

Citation

Evensen D, Whitmarsh L, Bartie P, Devine-Wright P, Dickie J, Varley A, Ryder S & Mayer A (2021) Effect of "finite pool of worry" and COVID-19 on UK climate change perceptions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118 (3), Art. No.: e2018936118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2018936118

Abstract
Research reveals that a “finite pool of worry” constrains concern about and action on climate change. Nevertheless, a longitudinal panel survey of 1,858 UK residents, surveyed in April 2019 and June 2020, reveals little evidence for diminishing climate change concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the sample identifies climate change as a bigger threat than COVID-19. The findings suggest climate change has become an intransigent concern within UK public consciousness.

Keywords
climate change; finite pool of worry; COVID-19; longitudinal; United Kingdom

Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: Volume 118, Issue 3

People

Dr Jennifer Dickie

Senior Lecturer, Biological and Environmental Sciences

Dr Adam Varley

Data Scientist, Biological and Environmental Sciences