Perceived Collective Efficacy and Trust in Government Influence Public Engagement with Climate Change-Related Water Conservation Policies |
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| Authors: | Jagadish Thaker Peter Howe Anthony Leiserowitz Edward Maibach |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Communication, Journalism &2. Marketing (Manawatu), Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand;3. Department of Environment and Society, Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA;4. School of Forestry &5. Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA;6. Department of Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA |
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| Abstract: | Water insecurity, induced or intensified due to climate change, has emerged as a key policy challenge in poor and developing countries such as India. Drawing on social cognitive theory, this paper examines the role of perceived collective efficacy—people's shared beliefs about their group's capabilities to accomplish collective tasks—and trust in government as factors influencing Indians' engagement with government water conservation policies. Using a national survey of Indians (N = 4031), we found that individuals with high levels of perceived collective efficacy and trust in government are more likely to support government water conservation policies. Moreover, for individuals with low trust in government, higher collective efficacy is associated with greater policy support. Perceived collective efficacy is also associated with activist behaviours, while distrust is not. Increasing collective efficacy beliefs, for example through mass media channels and targeted campaigns, could help increase citizens' engagement with climate change adaptation policies. |
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| Keywords: | Water conservation climate change policy support collective efficacy trust risk perceptions |
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