How issue frames shape beliefs about the importance of climate change policy across ideological and partisan groups

Singh, Shane P.; Swanson, Meili

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181401

How issue frames shape beliefs about the importance of climate change policy across ideological and partisan groups

Journal Article · Thu Jul 20 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · PLoS ONE

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181401· OSTI ID:1627833

^[1]; Swanson, Meili ^[2]

Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States). Dept. of International Affairs; DOE/OSTI
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

We use an experiment to examine whether the way in which climate change is framed affects individuals’ beliefs about its importance as a policy issue. We employ frames that emphasize national security, human rights, and environmental importance about the consequences of climate change. We find no evidence that issue frames have an overall effect on opinions about the importance of climate change policy. We do find some evidence that the effect of issue frames varies across ideological and partisan groups. Most notably, issue frames can lead Republicans and those on the political right to view climate change policy as less important. We conclude by discussing our findings relative to extant literature and considering the implications of our findings for those who seek to address the issue of climate change.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER). Earth and Environmental Systems Science Division

Grant/Contract Number:: NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 1627833

Journal Information:: PLoS ONE, Journal Name: PLoS ONE Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 12; ISSN 1932-6203

Publisher:: Public Library of ScienceCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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