Can exposure to localized climate information increase support for climate policies?
Location
PANEL: Climate Change Communication and Systems Thinking
CELA A019
Moderator: Cindy Frantz
Document Type
Presentation - Open Access
Start Date
5-1-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
5-1-2026 11:00 AM
Abstract
Although climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges, it is often perceived as a distant threat or as overwhelming. This psychological distance these reactions create contributes to low levels of concern, perceived efficacy, and intention to take action. In the context of local climate action planning, communities are increasingly exposed to localized climate information that may make these risks feel more immediate and actionable. Across cities worldwide, resilience and climate action planning processes are increasingly being implemented, creating important opportunities to shape how communities understand and respond to climate risks. Our research investigated how exposure to global and localized climate information can influence emotional responses, psychological distance, efficacy, and support for climate policies. As student research collaborators, we contributed to the experimental design, testing of key variables, data analysis, and the development and revision of video manipulation materials used in the study. Participants watched one of three videos that included a brief overview of climate change, along with either global information only, global plus localized information about their own city, or global plus localized information about another city. Our experiment evaluated how these conditions affected residents of Chicago and New York City. We found that localized information elicited stronger emotional responses and reduced psychological distance, while both localized and global information increased efficacy and support for increasing taxes to fund climate action. Ultimately, we hope to identify ways in which localized information can empower communities and promote recognition of social and environmental injustice in the context of climate change.
Keywords:
Climate mitigation and adaptation, Localized climate information, Psychological distance, Climate action planning
Recommended Citation
Tran, Chau Anh; Chen, Michelle; Zang, Arlo; Frantz, Cynthia M.; and Petersen, John E., "Can exposure to localized climate information increase support for climate policies?" (2026). Research Symposium. 43.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/researchsymp/2026/presentations/43
Major
Psychology; Neuroscience
Project Mentor(s)
Cindy Frantz, Psychology and Environmental Studies
John Petersen, Environmental Studies and Biology
2026
Can exposure to localized climate information increase support for climate policies?
PANEL: Climate Change Communication and Systems Thinking
CELA A019
Moderator: Cindy Frantz
Although climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges, it is often perceived as a distant threat or as overwhelming. This psychological distance these reactions create contributes to low levels of concern, perceived efficacy, and intention to take action. In the context of local climate action planning, communities are increasingly exposed to localized climate information that may make these risks feel more immediate and actionable. Across cities worldwide, resilience and climate action planning processes are increasingly being implemented, creating important opportunities to shape how communities understand and respond to climate risks. Our research investigated how exposure to global and localized climate information can influence emotional responses, psychological distance, efficacy, and support for climate policies. As student research collaborators, we contributed to the experimental design, testing of key variables, data analysis, and the development and revision of video manipulation materials used in the study. Participants watched one of three videos that included a brief overview of climate change, along with either global information only, global plus localized information about their own city, or global plus localized information about another city. Our experiment evaluated how these conditions affected residents of Chicago and New York City. We found that localized information elicited stronger emotional responses and reduced psychological distance, while both localized and global information increased efficacy and support for increasing taxes to fund climate action. Ultimately, we hope to identify ways in which localized information can empower communities and promote recognition of social and environmental injustice in the context of climate change.
Notes
Presenters: Chau Anh Tran and Michelle Chen