Background/Question/Methods: The formation and implementation of policy cannot exist without public support and policy related to climate change is no exception. If there is to be any movement in the political realm towards climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, there needs to be vocal encouragement from the constituents of the policymakers. Risk perceptions—that is, individual’s assessment of the harm caused or to be caused by climate change to them, others, or other species—are among the most commonly identified attitudinal drivers of public support for climate policy and individual willingness to act. However, research that examines what factors drive an individual’s risk perception is limited. This is especially true for research on populations at a subnational level, for which more insight is needed to support scientists and local decision-makers’ efforts (Howe et al. 2015). The purpose of this study is to explore the factors driving the perception of risk by the individual, both for themselves and for the community. Using data from a statewide survey of the general public in Indiana, variables commonly noted in prior literature, including political ideology, gender, age, and the perception of the biophysical effects of climate change were examined to determine their effect on perceived risk. Drawing from the concept of psychological distance, specific attention was paid to the difference in perceived risk for the individual and for the community as a whole, as this study will address a growing need to understand what causes the individual to generally assume they are exempt from climate change impacts perceived.
Results/Conclusions: This project will shed light on the drivers of critical factors motivating support for climate action, and addresses calls for subnational analysis on the public’s perceptions of climate change by focusing on the Midwest, a region given little attention to date. Preliminary results show that those who identify as Republican or lean Republican have a stronger tendency to not perceive personal risk, however, they have a high perceived risk for the community as a whole. This shows that in order to promote policy work for climate change mitigation and/or adaptation, more focus should be had on community-based policy.