National threat speaks louder for words than for actions: Examining Chinese public’s multi-level climate risk perceptions and their attitudes/behaviors

Abstract

High climate risk perception drives positive climate attitudes. However, the Chinese public has perceived low climate-related threats but still had high recognition of anthropological climate change and strong support for climate policies. To solve this puzzle, this study extended the theory of multi-level risk perceptions to investigate how personal, societal, and national levels of risk perceptions may have influenced people’s climate attitudes and behavior willingness differently. Based on a national survey, this study found that a strong statism inclination shapes respondents’ climate attitudes and intentions for climate-friendly behaviors, albeit in different ways. The respondents prioritized national interests when thinking of climate change, whereas personal benefits gained importance when respondents considered taking action. This study provides crucial clues to understand better the public mindset about climate change in the world’s biggest emitter besides theoretical implications.