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Do people pay attention to climate change? Evidence from Italy

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  • Crispino, Marta
  • Loberto, Michele

Abstract

We investigate the determinants of people's attention to climate change in Italy. We propose a Twitter-based indicator consistent with traditional survey data but potentially available at a higher frequency and spatial granularity. We show that attention to climate change is heterogeneous across the country and correlated with socioeconomic characteristics and social capital. Mass media and social movements have a relevant impact on people's attention about climate change while the effect of private experience – proxied by the occurrence of extreme weather events – is more limited.

Suggested Citation

  • Crispino, Marta & Loberto, Michele, 2024. "Do people pay attention to climate change? Evidence from Italy," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 434-449.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:219:y:2024:i:c:p:434-449
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2024.01.028
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Text analysis; Word embedding; Climate change; Attention;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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