Work

Perceptible climate warming amplifies how education increases climate concern in the US

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Among the strongest predictors of climate change awareness in the US, outside partisan filters, is education level. Here we show how, in the US, perceptible climate warming increased the effect that education has on climate concerns. Our interpretation is that education equips individuals with the ability to understand and contextualize observed climate changes. When individuals perceive warming, education enhances their capacity to connect these experiences to broader climate science, leading to greater concern. As a result, the more pronounced the local warming, the stronger the relationship between education and climate concern.

Source: npj Climate Action

DOI: 10.1038/s44168-025-00219-4

Authors: R. Alexander Bentley, Benjamin D. Horne

Institution: University of Tennessee at Knoxville

Language: English

Topic: Climate Change Communication and Perception

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,340