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Acceptance of climate change and climate refugee policy in Australia and New Zealand: The case against political polarisation

Author

Listed:
  • Samantha K. Stanley

    (Australian National University)

  • Caroline Ng Tseung-Wong

    (University of Canberra)

  • Zoe Leviston

    (Australian National University
    Edith Cowan University)

  • Iain Walker

    (Australian National University)

Abstract

Despite the seriousness of climate change, political polarisation and right-wing denial of climate change is frequently blamed for stalling effective climate policy. One concerning consequence of climate change is the displacement of people. We identify demographic correlates of acceptance of climate change and support for climate refugee policy within two nations likely to become early recipients of climate-driven migrants: Australia (N = 5110) and New Zealand (N = 5039). Political orientation is the strongest demographic correlate of climate change denial and climate refugee policy support, but deeper analysis shows that while support is highest amongst left-wing partisans, almost all voting groups on average accept climate change and climate migration policy. We argue that current high levels of support indicate potential for cross-partisan policy solutions in both Australia and New Zealand. We also caution about ways polarisation may deepen as we approach a climate refugee crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Samantha K. Stanley & Caroline Ng Tseung-Wong & Zoe Leviston & Iain Walker, 2021. "Acceptance of climate change and climate refugee policy in Australia and New Zealand: The case against political polarisation," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 169(3), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:169:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s10584-021-03278-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03278-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Betsy Hartmann, 2010. "Rethinking climate refugees and climate conflict: Rhetoric, reality and the politics of policy discourse," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(2), pages 233-246.
    2. Matthew J. Hornsey & Emily A. Harris & Paul G. Bain & Kelly S. Fielding, 2016. "Meta-analyses of the determinants and outcomes of belief in climate change," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(6), pages 622-626, June.
    3. Z. Leviston & I. Walker & S. Morwinski, 2013. "Your opinion on climate change might not be as common as you think," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 3(4), pages 334-337, April.
    4. Teresa Myers & Matthew Nisbet & Edward Maibach & Anthony Leiserowitz, 2012. "A public health frame arouses hopeful emotions about climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 113(3), pages 1105-1112, August.
    5. Stefan Drews & Jeroen C.J.M. van den Bergh, 2016. "What explains public support for climate policies? A review of empirical and experimental studies," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(7), pages 855-876, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ash Gillis & Nathaniel Geiger & Kaitlin Raimi & Julia Lee Cunningham & Melanie A. Sarge, 2023. "Climate change–induced immigration to the United States has mixed influences on public support for climate change and migrants," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(5), pages 1-30, May.

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