Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Global And Local Concerns: What Attitudes And Beliefs Motivate Farmers To Mitigate And Adapt To Climate Change?, Van R. Haden, Meredith T. Niles, Mark Lubell, Josh Perlman, Louise Jackson

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty Publications

In response to agriculture's vulnerability and contribution to climate change, many governments are developing initiatives that promote the adoption of mitigation and adaptation practices among farmers. Since most climate policies affecting agriculture rely on voluntary efforts by individual farmers, success requires a sound understanding of the factors that motivate farmers to change practices. Recent evidence suggests that past experience with the effects of climate change and the psychological distance associated with people's concern for global and local impacts can influence environmental behavior. Here we surveyed farmers in a representative rural county in California's Central Valley to examine how their intention …