Work

Is Australia's urban-regional schism on climate reality or rhetoric?

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Research and popular discourse have not settled on whether there exists an urban-regional divide on climate. In Australia, we observe rhetoric in the public sphere suggesting such a divide. In this paper we examine whether the urban-regional schism on climate reflects the reality of Australians' opinions on climate change. We conducted a quota survey of the Australian population (N = 2,952) and measured opinion across seven climate and seven social issues. We found limited evidence of an urban-regional divide on climate change and most social issues. However, urban and regional Australians’ attitudes differed on one item: perception of difference between urban and regional people. We suggest that urban-regional divide rhetoric may appeal to rural identifying people, not regional residents per se. We also identified the role of media habits: consumption of ABC (the national broadcaster) or Sky News (News Corp subscription channel) are significant predictors of climate opinion. • Climate opinion research with quota sample of Australian population. • No difference between urban and regional Australians' climate opinion. • Urban/regional opinion differed only on issue of urban-regional difference. • News media consumption identified as correlate of climate opinion.

Source: Journal of Rural Studies

DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2024.103446

Authors: R.M. Colvin, Frank Jotzo, Kelly S. Fielding

Institutions: Australian National University, The University of Queensland

Language: English

Topic: Climate Change Communication and Perception

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,890