Primary Outcomes (end points)
We construct measures of policy support, individual behavior, beliefs, and attitudes that range from “moderate” to “more extreme.” Throughout, we use these terms descriptively to contrast lower-cost and less restrictive measures with higher-cost and more restrictive measures, rather than as exact definitions.
Policy support: We measure support for “moderate” policies, such as lower-cost or informational interventions (e.g., labeling, “moderate” carbon taxes), and for “more extreme” policies, such as higher-cost or restrictive interventions (e.g., large carbon taxes, fossil fuel bans).
Individual behavior: We measure willingness to take “moderate” actions, such as lower-cost lifestyle adjustments, and “more extreme” actions, such as higher-cost or more restrictive behavioral changes.
Individual (incentivized) action: We measure choices in one incentivized decision involving a trade-off between keeping a monetary bonus for oneself or using it to reduce carbon emissions.
Emotional responses to climate change: We measure positive emotions (e.g., hope, optimism) and negative emotions (e.g., worry, sadness, anxiety).
Support for civic engagement and climate protests: We measure approval of activities ranging from conventional demonstrations to “more extreme” actions, including civil disobedience.
Beliefs about the future: We measure respondents’ expectations about long-term societal trajectories, including anticipated climate impacts, whether they expect the world to be richer or poorer, and whether they believe the global population will increase or decrease. We also examine respondents’ beliefs about what scientists project for the future.