Work

The correlates of climate change concern in Guatemala

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Climate change concern is believed to promote environmentally friendly behavior and the support of ameliorative environmental policies. Understanding the causes of this concern is therefore a precondition for its mobilization in favor of ameliorative environmental practices. This paper leverages empirical findings from a nationally representative survey to explore the correlates of climate change concern in Guatemala. It finds that direct and indirect experiences with climate impacts are the main correlates of climate change concern. Low levels of public trust and a sense of agency in reacting to disasters also contribute to concern levels. Measures taken to increase the linkage of weather impacts and anthropogenic actions to climate change, and to foster a sense of climate agency in citizens, can help highly vulnerable countries like Guatemala confront the challenges of climate change by contributing to create conditions that are more conducive to pro-environmental behavior and policy change.

Source: Climate Risk Management

DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2025.100747

Authors: Ludovico Feoli, Moisés Arce, Tofigh Maboudi, Todd Eisenstadt, Felipe Girón

Institutions: Tulane University, Loyola University Chicago, American University, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala

Language: English

Topic: Climate Change Communication and Perception

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,130