Knowledge, Information, and Views of Climate Change: An Examination of Coastal Stakeholders along the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Abstract:The ability to understand complex issues is essential to adequately evaluate risk and policy alternatives. Stakeholders are more likely to understand and influence these issues. While stakeholders that specialize in coastal regions have many issues that demand their attention, there are a few that potentially affect everyone within this community. We utilize in-depth interviews to examine climate change attitudes, and the influence of knowledge, information, and institutions within a sample of stakeholders along the Gulf Coast in Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. Our analysis is the first to reveal that institutional forces may influence climate change attitudes for members of that institution. Furthermore, we learn that different sources of information directly influence these attitudes.

Optimism and pessimism toward science: A new way to look at the public’s evaluations of science and technology discoveries and recommendations

“…The literature shows that objective and perceived knowledge is associated with people's attitudes (Stoutenborough et al, 2013; Stoutenborough & Vedlitz, 2015; Zhang et al, 2020). The objective knowledge variable was calculated as the percentage of correct answers to six true/false statements: (1) “Genes are a basic driver of heredity” (True); (2) “Genetic engineering of crops has not yet been used to manage agricultural pests” (False); (3) “People receive all of their genes from only one of their parents” (False); (4) “A keystone species is one that is critical to a particular ecosystem” (True); (5) “U.S.…”

“…Numerous studies on public opinion toward science suggest that multiple factors influence a citizen’s choice to trust in science. These factors include perceptions of risks, values, and beliefs (Bauer et al, 2007; Kellstedt et al, 2008; Stoutenborough & Vedlitz, 2015; Sturgis & Allum, 2004); political orientation (Hochschild et al, 2012; McCright et al, 2013; McCright & Dunlap, 2011); religious orientation (Brossard et al, 2009; Sturgis & Allum, 2004); and sociodemographic factors (Chao & Wei, 2009; Nisbet et al, 2002).…”

“…This gap has been referred to as the knowledge deficit. However, this so-called deficit has faced scrutiny from many researchers because of inconsistent empirical findings, institutional bias, and questionable measures of scientific understanding (Bauer et al, 2007; Kellstedt et al, 2008; Stoutenborough & Vedlitz, 2015; Sturgis & Allum, 2004). Historically, even Americans with a low level of science literacy would say that they are optimistic about science and technology (Nisbet, 2005).…”

General science‐technology orientation, specific benefit–risk assessment frame, and public acceptance of gene drive biotechnology

“…Past literature generally suggests two groups of influential factors. The first group of factors is linked to citizens' individual level factors, including personal background variables such as race, gender, education, and income (Chao & Wei, 2009;McCright et al, 2013;Nisbet et al, 2002;Xiao, 2013), religious orientation (Brossard et al, 2009;Gauchat, 2008Gauchat, , 2012Nisbet, 2005;Sturgis & Allum, 2004), technology-specific knowledge (Gauchat, 2011;Nisbet, 2005;Stoutenborough & Vedlitz, 2015), political orientation (Hochschild et al, 2012;McCright & Dunlap, 2011;McCright et al, 2013;Mooney, 2012), and personal perceptions and beliefs such as perceived benefits and risks, trust in institutions, and worldviews (e.g., Knight, 2006;Siegrist, 1999Siegrist, , 2000Siegrist et al, 2000;Yang & Hobbs, 2020). These individual level factors function as personal level filters through which individuals form their views about technological innovations.…”

A Framework for Considering Climate Change Impacts in Project Selection for Deepwater Horizon Restoration Efforts

“…Compounding this already complex restoration effort are attitudes about climate change and its anticipated effects. For example, a study of coastal stakeholders on the Gulf Coast found that government employees were likely to be more skeptical of accepting climate change (Stoutenborough and Vedlitz 2015) than other coastal stakeholders, though climate change is a polarizing issue for the general public as well. This increases the difficulty for political decisionmakers to consider sea level rise as an explicit threat to project success.…”