Understanding UK perceptions of climate risk and resilience (Webinar)

UK Climate Resilience Programme webinar series

9 September 2020, 12.00-13.00

Speakers: Prof Nick Pidgeon with Christina Demski (both Cardiff University) with stakeholder response by Frances Pimenta, Head of Climate Adaptation Policy, Defra

Chair: Kate Lonsdale (co-Champion, UKCR)

For links to webinar recording and presenter slides, see below.

Abstract

In this webinar we will describe findings of the RESiL RISK project completed by Cardiff University with engagement partners Climate Outreach.

A nationally representative survey was conducted in October 2019 with 1,401 British respondents to examine public perceptions of climate change, its associated impacts, and to map public support for climate change adaptation and resilience building strategies. The presentation highlights clear evidence for a shift in perceptions among the British public regarding the importance of climate change, greater concern and reduced psychological distance, increasing concern about climate impacts more generally coupled with much more salience given to the issue of heat risks, and a general willingness to support steps to address the issue. By comparing the current survey results to previous studies conducted in 2010, 2013 and 2016 the webinar will illustrate how public beliefs have altered.

We conclude with a discussion of policy recommendations, and a brief note of the implications of the current pandemic for interpreting the findings.

 

Biography: Nick Pidgeon (main speaker)

Professor Nick Pidgeon has been Director of the Understanding Risk Research Group at Cardiff University for the past 14 years. He has published widely on climate risk perception and risk communication, and led the RESilRISK project in 2019 as well as previous related studies including the European Perceptions of Climate Change survey in 2016.