Fighting Climate Change: The Role of Norms, Preferences, and Moral Values

We document individual willingness to fight climate change and its behavioral determinants in a large representative sample of US adults. Willingness – as measured through an incentivized donation decision is highly heterogeneous across the population. Individual beliefs about social norms, economic preferences such patience altruism, well universal moral values positively predict preferences. Moreover, we systematic misperceptions prevalent norms. Respondents vastly underestimate prevalence climate- friendly behaviors norms among their fellow citizens. Providing respondents with correct information causally raises support for policies. The effects are strongest individuals who skeptical existence threat global warming.