Risk Perception of Climate Change: Empirical Evidence for Germany

SFB Discussion Paper Nr. 33/2016

30 Pages Posted: 10 Nov 2016

See all articles by Manuel Frondel

Manuel Frondel

RWI Leibniz Institute for Economic Research ; Ruhr University Bochum (RUB)

Michael Simora

RWI - Leibniz-Institute for Economic Research

Stephan Sommer

RWI - Leibniz-Institute for Economic Research

Date Written: June 29, 2016

Abstract

The perception of risks resulting from climate change is a key factor in motivating individual adaptation and prevention behavior, as well as for the support of climate policy measures. Using a generalized ordered logit approach and drawing on a unique data set originating from two surveys conducted in 2012 and 2014, each among more than 6,000 German households, we analyze the determinants of individual risk perception associated with three kinds of natural hazards: heat waves, storms, and floods. Our focus is on the role of objective risk measures and experience with these natural hazards, whose frequency is likely to be affected by climate change. In line with the received literature, the results suggest that personal experience with adverse events and, even more importantly, personal damage therefrom are strong drivers of individual risk perception.

Keywords: Damage Experience, Natural Hazards, Generalized Ordered Logit

JEL Classification: D81, H31, Q54

Suggested Citation

Frondel, Manuel and Simora, Michael and Sommer, Stephan, Risk Perception of Climate Change: Empirical Evidence for Germany (June 29, 2016). SFB Discussion Paper Nr. 33/2016 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2866661 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2866661

Manuel Frondel (Contact Author)

RWI Leibniz Institute for Economic Research ( email )

Hohenzollernstr. 1-3
45128 Essen
Germany

Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) ( email )

Universitätsstraße 150
Bochum, NRW 44780
Germany

Michael Simora

RWI - Leibniz-Institute for Economic Research ( email )

Hohenzollernstr. 1-3
Essen, 45128
Germany

Stephan Sommer

RWI - Leibniz-Institute for Economic Research ( email )

Hohenzollernstr. 1-3
Essen, 45128
Germany

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