Research conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg shows that people tend to rate their own risk of being affected by climate change as lower than that of others. This perception may reduce individuals' willingness to act and slow down necessary climate measures.

Research conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg shows that people tend to rate their own risk of being affected by climate change as lower than that of others. This perception may reduce individuals’ willingness to act and slow down necessary climate measures.

The researchers observed the effect in Europe, the United States and Asia, but the discrepancy was most pronounced among Europeans.

  • unnamed1@feddit.orgEnglish
    143·
    15 hours ago

    “Being affected by“ is a very general statement. Of course everyone is being affected. But in the middle of Europe people won’t need to become refugees due to unliveable conditions, burning, drought, starvation etc. So it will be more immediate around the equator I guess. However, I feel not so well informed and maybe I’m wrong.

    • demonsword@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      9 hours ago

      But in the middle of Europe people won’t need to become refugees due to unliveable conditions, burning, drought, starvation etc

      When the AMOC shuts down you’ll all suffer from extreme cold instead.

    • fonix232@fedia.io
      12·
      14 hours ago

      That’s where you’re wrong.

      Climate change isn’t just affecting people but industries as well - agriculture being one of the major ones.

      In countries where winters used to be truly cold (-5 to -10C regularly), the ecosystem depended on those freezes happening to both germinate certain produce, as well as to kill off parasites.

      Without the cold winters, parasites survive and decimate the resulting production.

      With the weather becoming more and more unpredictable, agriculture is becoming harder to maintain. Sure we can do greenhouses, but good luck growing wheat, corn, etc. there. You need massive fields to produce enough to cover the needs of the population, let alone export.

      Not to mention the effects of random weather causing hailstorms which in turn destroys production as well - including greenhouses.

      And local food production shortages WILL lead to mass migration. There’s already a very present migration pattern established in Europe, citizens of south-eastern Europe moving North and West to get out of the poor conditions of the various Balkan states - but there’s even further migration happening from countries one would consider well off enough to have little to no migration…

      Sure it’s not that visible but that migration you say won’t happen is already happening.

      • unnamed1@feddit.orgEnglish
        3·
        13 hours ago

        Thanks for the insights. I’m happy and unhappy at the same time to learn. I know mass migration is happening and will accelerate. I just meant that Europeans will not be the refugees but the part receiving migration. And it will be terrible since no refugee is welcome anymore anywhere. Even people from warzones, which is easier to grasp than people fleeing from climate effects. Truely concerning.