How political ideology affects climate perception: Moderation effects of time orientation and knowledge

Abstract Extensive research has identified negative social, economic, and environmental impacts of climate change and have therefore proposed mitigation and adaptation measures. Policy making and implementation of those measures depend on public awareness and risk perception of climate change. This article investigates the relationship between an individual’s political ideology and risk perception of climate change, and particularly whether this relationship is affected by one’s time orientation and knowledge. We confirm that individuals with a higher ideological agreement with liberalism perceive a higher risk of climate change. This positive effect, however, is further augmented by individuals’ future time orientation, and lessened by their knowledge of climate change. Our findings suggest that it requires a more tailored strategy in climate communication in order to improve policy making and implementation.