Psychological Distance in Climate Change: The Role of Climate Change Denial, Contact with Nature and Political Opinion

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the psychological distance perception of Turkish people and the role of their political views on climate change. Descriptive data were obtained on different aspects of psychological distance such as temporal, social, geographical and uncertainty. The study also evaluated the relationship between contact with nature through climate change and climate denial. The research is a descriptive study. Climate change denial scale and nature contact scales were used to measure the levels of climate change denial and contact with nature. Data were collected online from 123 people living in different geographical regions of Turkey. Group comparison findings based on individuals' assessments of their political views (left/right) are consistent with the literature. Significant differences in denial of climate change were observed among groups separated by political views. In addition, a significant relationship was found between age and denial of climate change. Our findings are important in terms of revealing some social and cognitive factors in the perception of the climate change problem in our country and helping to develop more effective strategies in combating climate change.