How the physical proximity of climate mitigation projects influences the relationship between affect and public support

Abstract

This study investigates how the physical proximity of university-sponsored climate mitigation projects may moderate the relationship between affect and project support and impact public support for the respective projects. Using a mail survey (N = 667) of residents near a major university in New York State, we find that positive and negative affective responses to proposed climate mitigation projects have a stronger association with project support when the project will be implemented in close, as opposed to distant, physical proximity. In contrast, we do not find that the physical distance of project implementation moderates the relationship between affective responses to climate change in general and project support. In addition, we find no evidence of a NIMBY effect in public support/opposition to the particular projects, but do find that public support varies depending on the type of project that is being proposed.