General Knowledge about Climate Change, Factors Influencing Risk Perception and Willingness to Insure

Abstract

In two empirical surveys in Germany the link between the information respondents have about climate change and their risk perception of the phenomenon was analysed. We found that a better understanding of the effects of climate change might lead to a decrease of the perceived hazard. In contrast, a high self-declared knowledge about climate change might correspond with higher risk perception. Further factors affecting the risk perception of climate change are gender, experience of extreme weather events and trust in external aid. Surprisingly, information campaigns based on scientific facts are not effective for increasing risk perception and willingness to insure. Higher risk perception might induce higher interest in precautionary measures like insurance.

Keywords: Climate Change, Knowledge Illusion, Insurance, Risk Perception, Information, Psychometric paradigm

JEL Classification: Q54, Q58, D83