Learning about successfully implemented sustainability policies abroad increases support for sustainable domestic policies.

Matejas Mackin, Trevor Spelman, Adam Waytz
Author Information
  1. Matejas Mackin: Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA. matejas.mackin@kellogg.northwestern.edu.
  2. Trevor Spelman: Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA.
  3. Adam Waytz: Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA.

Abstract

Anthropogenic climate change poses an existential threat to life on Earth, hastening the need to generate support for sustainability policies. Four preregistered studies (total N���=���2524) tested whether informing United States citizens about the successful implementation of sustainability policies abroad increased support for similar domestic policies. Studies 1 and 2 found that learning about the successful implementation of sustainability policies (reducing automobile use, using wind energy) abroad increased (1) support for similar domestic policies, (2) intentions to modify behavior to facilitate the adoption of sustainability policies, and (3) behavioral support for sustainability policies. Study 3 found that learning about sustainability policies in both WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) (France) and non-WEIRD (Colombia) countries increased support for similar domestic policies. Study 4 found that learning about sustainability policies abroad increased support for domestic policy proposals that would impact participants' city of residence. Overall, these findings suggest that educating citizens about the implementation of sustainability policies abroad can bolster support for domestic policies that combat climate change.

References

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MeSH Term

Humans
Climate Change
United States
Male
Female
Conservation of Natural Resources
Adult
Learning
Sustainable Development
France
Middle Aged

Word Cloud

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