Date of Award

8-2024

Degree Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Committee Chair

Dr. David M. Cochran Jr.

Committee Chair School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Committee Member 2

Dr. Clay S. Tucker

Committee Member 2 School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Committee Member 3

Dr. Kayla D. Stan

Committee Member 3 School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Abstract

Anthropogenic climate change is a global concern that has the possibility to become the next world-altering event. While there is a substantial amount of scientific evidence proving its existence and harmful repercussions, there is still a lack of belief in its occurrence within the United States. This research uses survey data obtained from the University of Southern Mississippi to provide an understanding at a local scale of how both physical and psychological aspects bridge a gap in perception research.

With the use of previous research done by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) and George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication (Mason 4C), I compare survey results on climate change belief as well as perceptions of risk. Additionally, I assess psychological influences on climate perceptions using the Moral Foundations Theory, as well as obtain differences in views based on generation. In this thesis, I validate risk perception, morality, and generations each as useful methods in understanding climate perceptions. These results demonstrate the need for more granular-level research to understand how perceptions are presented.

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