Farmers more worried about climate change than people think

Both farmers and non-farmers worry about climate change and say they are willing to take action, yet they underestimate each other's worry and willingness, according to new research by the ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit.

The research surveyed 467 farmers and 1,200 non-farmers, split evenly between rural and urban residents. It measured concern about climate change and willingness to act. Farmers were asked about adopting sustainable farming methods such as green technologies, while non-farmers were asked about changing transport habits, diet, and energy use. Participants were also asked how they perceived the views of others.

The findings reveal widespread misperceptions. While, on average, both farmers and non-farmers expressed worry about climate change and willingness to take action, non-farmers underestimated farmers' actual level of worry and willingness, while all groups underestimated the general public's worry and willingness.

The study found no evidence of an urban-rural divide. Rural and urban residents do not differ in how much they worry about climate change, their willingness to change their behaviour to help reduce climate change, or their perceptions of others' attitudes.

As well as these collective misperceptions, the study also found that people tended to be individually biased. Respondents who were least worried and willing to act assumed, incorrectly, that others share their views, while those who were most worried and willing to act were more likely to think that others feel the same.

"Reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires people to act together and to trust that others are willing to play their part, too," said Dr. Lucie Martin, lead author of the study and Research Officer at the ESRI. "This study reveals misperceptions within and across groups in Irish society that could undermine climate cooperation. Evidence shows that most people decide whether to act based on whether they think others will, too."

Professor Pete Lunn, head of the Behavioural Research Unit and a senior author of the study said, "Climate action in Ireland is different for different people. Farmers can adopt greener technologies, urban residents can reduce car use, all of us can eat more sustainable and healthier diets, and so on. But damaging misperceptions can arise if people do not see other people acting as part of the same climate effort."