Are climate change, urbanisation and political views correlated? Empirical evidence from South East Queensland

Abstract

The socio-political perspective of perceived climate change risk is an understudied area of research. This study investigates the correlation between urbanisation, climate change and the political views of the public. The study elicited the perceptions of South East Queensland's (Australia) peri-urban dwellers through an online survey (n = 659). The perceptions are assessed through the respondents' political preference against their views on the association between climate change risks and rapid urban growth. The study findings revealed: (a) There is little to no relationship between political affiliation and climate risk perception; (b) The more politically left-wing inclined a person is, a slightly higher climate risk perception they will possess than those of the right-wing proponents; (c) Peri-urbanisation triggered climate risk is not discernibly perceived, and; (d) Adopting mitigation measures and simultaneously allowing flexibility to urban growth is the most preferred form of urban growth policy of the respondents. These findings imply that climate risk perception for the Australian context is common irrespective of political standings and are therefore significant to reach a political consensus on climate risk mitigation and adaptation policies.