Perceived ecological risks of global change 1A psychometric comparison of causes and consequences

Clarifying lay views is a crucial step in characterizing the “social construct” of global change. This article discusses lay perceptions of ecological risks associated with three global environmental change processes: (a) climate change, (b) ozone depletion, and (c) species loss. A psychometric risk perception study obtained judgements from 68 subjects about 65 ecological risk items in terms of 31 scales. The findings show that sources of the three global change processes (eg refrigeration) are viewed quite differently than are the consequences (eg ozone depletion). There seems to be a persistent lack of connection in judgements regarding causes and consequences. Several possible explanations for these patterns are discussed. Implications of these patterns are considered in terms of possible policy responses, and improved risk communication strategies.