89th American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

Monday, 12 January 2009
Experiencing the weather: Public perceptions of changes in local weather patterns
Hall 5 (Phoenix Convention Center)
Hank Jenkins-Smith, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK; and C. Silva, K. H. Goebbert, K. E. Klockow, M. Yuan, M. Nowlin, and G. DeLozier
Poster PDF (1.5 MB)
In this study we evaluate how accurately members of the American public perceive changes in average temperatures near their residences, and we model the determinants of those perceptions. We hypothesize that perceived changes will be influenced by the actual deviations from long-term averages. But other influences – such as ideological dispositions, overall concern about and attentiveness to environmental issues – may mater as well. We model the relative weight of these influences, and discuss the implications for public support for policies to address climate change.

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