The association between climate change attitudes and COVID-19 attitudes: The link is more than political ideology✰,✰✰,★

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and climate change are two current global threats. This study examined the relationship between climate change attitudes and COVID-19 behaviors and risk perceptions. Drivers of climate change attitudes and COVID-19 behaviors were also assessed. Study participants were an online sample of 520 respondents from a longitudinal study of COVID-19 and well-being in the US. Logistic regression models were used to examine the outcomes of climate change opinions and COVID-19 perceptions and prevention behaviors (perceived COVID-19 risk, mask wearing, social distancing, and vaccine intentions). Covariates included political ideology, conspiracy beliefs, and trust in scientific information about COVID-19. In the multivariable models of COVID-19 perceptions and prevention behaviors, climate change opinions were also included as a covariate. In these models, climate change attitudes were significantly associated with perceived risk of COVID-19, always wearing masks, decreased time spent with others due to COVID-19, and intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine. In adjusted models, the odds of wearing a mask increased 41% (CI: 1.11–1.78) for every 1-point increase on the climate attitude scale and decreased 13% (CI: 0.79–0.96) if the participant distrusted COVID-19 information. Those who reported distrust of COVID-19 information (aOR: 1.61, CI: 1.40–1.85), politically conservative ideology (aOR: 1.24, CI: 1.04–1.47), lower concern about climate change (aOR: 0.71, CI: 0.53–0.97), female sex (aOR: 2.39 CI: 1.38–4.13), and lower disbelief in conspiracy theories (aOR: 0.63, CI: 0.51–0.80) had higher odds of not intending to be vaccinated. These findings suggest that climate change attitudes are linked to COVID-19 behaviors and perceptions, which are not completely driven by political ideology or trust in scientific information.