Abstract
In the face of intensifying climate change (CC) impacts, comprehending how individuals perceive the responsibility of various actors for CC causes and solutions is crucial for garnering support for efficient mitigation. The broader public often encounters CC through mass media, where accountability framing—decisions of journalists and editors to attribute CC responsibility to specific actors—plays a pivotal role. Framing choices can shape public perception by raising awareness of specific entities’ contributions to CC and their potential roles in addressing it. As different audiences respond differently to certain frames, we investigate how perceptions of accountability of certain actors (government, industry, science, consumers, society) in news media interact with individual beliefs and values, aiming to inform tailored and effective communication strategies for CC mitigation support. Using survey data from 2023 (n=104) and statistical modelling, our research shows significant differences in perceived accountability for causing and solving CC. Additionally, someone’s opinion on who is responsible for the cause or solution is influenced by their worldview, perception of scientific consensus on climate change, and indirectly by political ideology. This study provides insights into the intricate dynamics of accountability framing in CC discourse, but future research should further explore the role of worldviews and investigate the motivations driving accountability perceptions among different types of people and political affiliations, in order to build a nuanced understanding of the factors shaping individual attitudes on CC accountability and someone’s own role in mitigating it.
Presenters
Marit BogertPhD Student, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Technical, Political, and Social Responses
KEYWORDS
Accountability, Climate change perceptions, Perceived self-efficacy, Responsibility, Framing climate change
