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Do natural disasters help the environment? How voters respond and what that means

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  • Baccini, Leonardo
  • Leemann, Lucas

Abstract

This paper examines whether voters’ experience of extreme weather events such as flooding increases voting in favor of climate protection measures. While the large majority of individuals do not hold consistent opinions on climate issues, we argue that the experience of natural disasters can prime voters on climate change and affect political behavior. Using micro-level geospatial data on natural disasters, we exploit referendum votes in Switzerland, which allows us to obtain a behavioral rather than attitudinal measure of support for policies tackling climate change. Our findings indicate a sizeable effect for pro-climate voting after experiencing a flood: vote-share supporting pro-climate policies can increase by 20 percent. Our findings contribute to the literature exploring the impact of local conditions on electoral behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Baccini, Leonardo & Leemann, Lucas, 2021. "Do natural disasters help the environment? How voters respond and what that means," Political Science Research and Methods, Cambridge University Press, vol. 9(3), pages 468-484, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:pscirm:v:9:y:2021:i:3:p:468-484_2
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    Cited by:

    1. Bonan, Jacopo & Curzi, Daniele & D'Adda, Giovanna & Ferro, Simone, 2023. "Climate Change Salience and Electricity Consumption: Evidence from Twitter Activity," RFF Working Paper Series 23-34, Resources for the Future.
    2. Maria Cotofan & Karlygash Kuralbayeva & Konstantinos Matakos, 2024. "Global warming cools voters down: How climate concerns affect policy preferences," CEP Discussion Papers dp1991, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    3. Guesmi, Khaled & Makrychoriti, Panagiota & Spyrou, Spyros, 2023. "The relationship between climate risk, climate policy uncertainty, and CO2 emissions: Empirical evidence from the US," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 610-628.
    4. Afiq bin Oslan, 2023. "Establishing Fault: The Electoral Impact of Induced Earthquakes," Working Papers tax-mpg-rps-2023-21, Max Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public Finance.
    5. Berlemann, Michael & Bumann, Silke & Methorst, Joel, 2024. "Do climate-related disasters cause dissatisfaction with environmental policies?," HWWI Working Paper Series 1/2024, Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWI).

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