Identifying the drivers of public support for systemic climate policies 

Abstract: As climate change denialism becomes less prevalent, the focus of public discourse has shifted. The debate is not anymore whether we need action on climate change, but what kind of action is needed. Individual actions play an important role in mitigating climate change, but approaches focused solely on individual behavior are often insufficient to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. In contrast, systemic change, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, has a great impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creates the necessary conditions for individuals to shift to a low-carbon lifestyle. In this talk, I will explore factors that shift people’s focus from individual-level behaviour change policies to systemic climate policies. Specifically, I will focus on the influence of perceived national wealth and perceived inequality on climate policy support.

Bio: Dr Chris Klebl is a postdoctoral research fellow at the School of Psychology, University of Queensland. My research is at the intersection of social, environmental, and moral psychology. I study the factors influencing people’s support for systemic climate change policies, public attitudes towards biodiversity, as well as the function of aesthetic judgments and their role in morality.