Understanding the relationships among experience with extreme weather events, perceptions of climate change, carbon dependency, and public support for renewable energies in the United States

Abstract

One of the most critical issue facing humanity today is climate change, as the rising incidence of extreme weather events has surpassed the adaptive capacity of human societies. A fundamental transformation of the energy system is urgently needed to address this issue. To gain a better understanding of how exposure to extreme weather events and perceptions of climate change influence support for expanding renewable energies, a nationally representative survey was conducted in 2021, incorporating contextual data on the cost of billion-dollar disasters and carbon dependency. The study's findings suggest that extreme weather events influence the public's perception of climate change, especially among Republicans. Age also plays a role, with younger people more likely to prioritize climate change. Public support for renewable energies is influenced by the perception of climate change as a priority issue, and carbon dependency decreases support for renewable energies. Policymakers should focus on highlighting the link between extreme weather events and climate change, target younger generations with messages about climate change, and consider alternative approaches to supporting carbon-dependent regions. The study has some limitations, including that it is based on cross-sectional data which may not account for potential endogeneity. Additionally, there are no contextual variables at a geographic level finer than the state, and future research should consider adopting measures at finer scales such as county and zip code. The study's theoretical framework could be further validated by integrating observational climate extreme data into understanding individuals’ perception of local weather and climate, and future studies should adopt path analysis or structural equation modelling to validate the proposed path when all relevant variables are included.