Climate change discussion with family and friends and media exposure’s influence on support for decarbonisation policies in Hong Kong: the mediating role of climate worry

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to examine the mediating effect of climate worry on the association between two predictors (frequency of climate change discussion with family and friends and frequency of climate change media exposure) and support for decarbonisation policies among undergraduate and postgraduate students from a public university in Hong Kong. Method: 320 adolescents and young adults were the respondents to the survey (Mean Age = 22.63, SD = 2.57). Results: Both frequencies of discussion with family and friends about climate change and frequency of media exposure to climate change topics were associated with support for decarbonisation policies. Results suggest that climate worry explains why increased awareness of the climate crisis through family, friends, and media, can affect pro-environmental attitudes, specifically one’s support for decarbonisation policies. Conclusions: This study is the first to find evidence for the impact of emotions on youth’s attitudes towards supporting policies that mitigate the climate crisis in the Hong Kong context. The role of education through different channels in influencing people’s attitudes towards sustainable solutions is discussed.