Political ideology and views toward solar geoengineering in the United States

[Geoengineering News]

https://www.cambridge.org/engage/coe/article-details/670d6cbd12ff75c3a16b8e9f

Authors

Beatrice Magistro ,Ramit Debnath, Danny Ebanks, Paul Wennberg, R. Michael Alvarez 

16 October 2024

DOI: 10.33774/coe-2024-r6jkf

Abstract

Political polarization remains a significant barrier to effective climate action in the United States. Conservatives often express skepticism toward climate change policies that emphasize government intervention and regulation, while liberals are more supportive of these efforts. Solar geoengineering (SG), an emerging technology proposed to cool the Earth's atmosphere, offers an approach that could transcend entrenched ideological divides. SG has not yet been widely framed in partisan terms, and its potential as a technological solution may appeal to conservatives. This study examines how familiarity with SG is correlated with public attitudes toward climate change. Using a nationally representative sample of 2,109 American voters, we find that greater familiarity with SG is associated with reduced political polarization on key issues such as support for SG, concerns about its risks, and preferred climate strategies. Our findings suggest that increased awareness of SG could foster bipartisan engagement on climate policy, thereby reducing the ideological divide.

Source: Cambridge University Press