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Public perceptions of local flood risk and the role of climate change

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  • Wändi Bruine de Bruin

    (Leeds University Business School
    Carnegie Mellon University)

  • Gabrielle Wong-Parodi

    (Carnegie Mellon University)

  • M. Granger Morgan

    (Carnegie Mellon University)

Abstract

The IPCC reports that climate change will pose increased risks of heatwaves and flooding. Although survey-based studies have examined links between public perceptions of hot weather and climate change beliefs, relatively little is known about people’s perceptions of changes in flood risks, the extent to which climate change is perceived to contribute to changes in flood risks, or how such perceptions vary by political affiliation. We discuss findings from a survey of long-time residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, a region that has experienced regular flooding. Our participants perceived local flood risks as having increased and expected further increase in the future; expected higher future flood risks if they believed more in the contribution of climate change; interpreted projections of future increases in flooding as evidence for climate change; and perceived similar increases in flood risks independent of their political affiliation despite disagreeing about climate change. Overall, these findings suggest that communications about climate change adaptation will be more effective if they focus more on protection against local flood risks, especially when targeting audiences of potential climate sceptics.

Suggested Citation

  • Wändi Bruine de Bruin & Gabrielle Wong-Parodi & M. Granger Morgan, 2014. "Public perceptions of local flood risk and the role of climate change," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 34(4), pages 591-599, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envsyd:v:34:y:2014:i:4:d:10.1007_s10669-014-9513-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10669-014-9513-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Gabrielle Wong-Parodi & Kelly Klima, 2017. "Preparing for local adaptation: a study of community understanding and support," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 145(3), pages 413-429, December.
    2. W. J. Wouter Botzen & Erwann Michel-Kerjan & Howard Kunreuther & Hans Moel & Jeroen C. J. H. Aerts, 2016. "Political affiliation affects adaptation to climate risks: Evidence from New York City," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 138(1), pages 353-360, September.
    3. Timo Assmuth & Tanja Dubrovin & Jari Lyytimäki, 2020. "Human health in systemic adaptation to climate change: insights from flood risk management in a river basin," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 40(3), pages 427-443, September.
    4. Sandra Fatorić & Ricard Morén-Alegret & Rhiannon Jane Niven & George Tan, 2017. "Living with climate change risks: stakeholders’ employment and coastal relocation in mediterranean climate regions of Australia and Spain," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 276-288, September.
    5. Charles Adedayo Ogunbode & Yue Liu & Nicole Tausch, 2017. "The moderating role of political affiliation in the link between flooding experience and preparedness to reduce energy use," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 145(3), pages 445-458, December.
    6. Zachary A. Collier & Igor Linkov & James H. Lambert, 2014. "Tools and strategies for climate change decision making," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 34(4), pages 471-472, December.
    7. Alexa Tanner & Joseph Árvai, 2018. "Perceptions of Risk and Vulnerability Following Exposure to a Major Natural Disaster: The Calgary Flood of 2013," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 38(3), pages 548-561, March.
    8. Wändi Bruine de Bruin & Andrew Dugan, 2022. "On the differential correlates of climate change concerns and severe weather concerns: evidence from the World Risk Poll," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 171(3), pages 1-24, April.

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