Public Perceptions and Responses to Climate Change in France
Résumé
Responding to climate change is the greatest challenge facing humanity today (IPCC
2014). Climate change poses risks for human and natural systems via processes such
as water scarcity, land degradation, habitat and biodiversity loss, and extreme weather
events. In Southern France, climate change has been directly linked to recent flooding
and is projected to increase the future frequency of storms and heatwaves (Beniston et
al. 2007). Understanding how citizens perceive and psychologically adapt to climate
change is of great importance to developing a coherent and effective strategy to reduce
carbon emissions and greater climate resilience.
This national survey represents the most comprehensive survey of national climate
change attitudes in France to date. It presents and discusses national survey findings
from a collaborative and cross-national research project undertaken by the Université
Côte d'Azur and Griffith University (Australia) examining public risk perceptions,
understanding and responses to the threat and unfolding impacts of climate change in
France. The national survey was undertaken between June 5th and July 17th, 2017 and
involved a representative, geographically and demographically stratified national
sample of 3480 respondents across France.
The results provide an up-to-date and comprehensive profile of current French
attitudes and beliefs about climate change, their concerns about the impact it may have
on their economic well-being, health and natural surroundings, and the ways in which
they are responding psychologically and behaviorally to this threat. This report also
uncovers how economic conditions and natural weather events impact the evolution of
climate change perceptions and attitudes. These results highlight that the design of
public communication strategies in relation to climate change adaptation should take
into account the nature of these public perceptions of climate change.
Domaines
Etudes de l'environnement
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)