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Elite cues, media coverage, and public concern: an integrated path analysis of public opinion on climate change, 2001-2013
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Elite cues, media coverage, and public concern: an integrated path analysis of public opinion on climate change, 2001-2013

Jason T. Carmichael and Robert J. Brulle
Environmental politics, v 26(2)
04 Mar 2017

Abstract

climate change elite cues media effects structural equation models time-series analysis US public opinion ESI Highly Cited Paper (Incites)
To analyze the factors affecting US public concern about the threat of climate change between January 2002 and December 2013, data from 74 separate surveys are used to construct quarterly measures of public concern over global climate change. Five factors should account for changes in levels of concern: extreme weather events, public access to accurate scientific information, media coverage, elite cues, and movement/countermovement advocacy. Structural equation modeling indicates that elite cues, movement advocacy efforts, weather, and structural economic factors influence the level of public concern about climate change. While media coverage exerts an important influence, it is itself largely a function of elite cues and economic factors. Promulgation to the public of scientific information on climate change has no effect. Information-based science advocacy has had only a minor effect on public concern, while political mobilization by elites and advocacy groups is critical in influencing climate change concern.

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Highly Cited Paper 
Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Environmental Studies
Political Science
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