Perception of Climate Change Risk and Adaptation in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Public perception of climate change is an important element that affects attitudes towards adaptation and mitigation. Understanding the general public’s perception of the issue can assist decision-makers, though the climate change perception is affected by multiple factors. This study examines the main sociodemographic factors, including gender, and the role of previous personal experience with extreme weather events on climate change perception and engagement in individual adaptation and mitigation actions among the general population in the Czech Republic. Based on statistical analysis, gender, age and previous experience with extreme weather events have been found to play a significant role in the climate change beliefs of individuals and in the perception of the cause of the changing climate. The analysis revealed that respondents with previous experience with extreme weather events were significantly more likely to implement adaptation and mitigation actions than respondents with no experience. The survey represents insights into climate change perception and beliefs of the general public at the national level.

Public support for sustainable development and environmental policy: A case of the Czech Republic

“…People with higher education are more likely to believe that the effect of climate change will be bad (comparing to both types of secondary education) and are more interested in climate change issues (compared to secondary educated people without state exams). The result is similar to Krkoška Lorencová et al (2019), who found that secondary school and university degrees were more aware of climate change compared to elementary education.…”

“…On the other hand, the result is consistent with the idea that old people, in general, are more passive in climate‐related issues. They are shown to be less likely to believe that climate change is caused by human activity (Krkoška Lorencová et al, 2019; Bichard and Kazmierczak (2012), express less concern about climate change risks and willingness to engage in adaptation actions (Burningham et al, 2008; Lujala et al, 2015). This passivity may be explained by the idea that due to their age, climate relater effects will most likely not influence them, though they may affect their children.…”

“…Surprisingly, the effect of personal experience with extreme weather events on climate attitudes is not uniform. Some authors (Brulle et al, 2012) report, that weather events did not affect climate attitudes, while others (Carmichael & Brulle, 2017; Krkoška Lorencová et al, 2019; Krosnick et al, 2006; Weber, 2011) report the opposite.…”

“…Expectedly, age was reported to be related to climate attitudes. For example, younger people were more likely to believe that climate change is caused by human activity (Bichard & Kazmierczak, 2012; Krkoška Lorencová et al, 2019), while older people expressed less concern about climate change risks and less willingness to engage in adaptation actions (Burningham et al, 2008; Lujala et al, 2015). Gender was also shown to be related to climate attitudes – women expressed greater concern related to climate change than men (Clements, 2012; Krkoška Lorencová et al, 2019).…”

“…Education is also shown to be associated with climate attitudes (Clements, 2012). Individuals with secondary‐school and university degrees were more aware of climate change compared to elementary education (Krkoška Lorencová et al, 2019).…”