Hope for the Future in Mitigating Climate Change? On Statistically Modeling Self‐Sacrifice in the Face of Global Warming

In: Analyses of social issues and public policy, Band 12, Heft 1, S. 239-244

Abstract

Two sets of concerns were expressed in commentary about Liu & Sibley's (2012) article on self‐sacrifice in the face of global warming. Statistical issues can be addressed with a better understanding of Multilevel Random Coefficient Models. We hold that in accord with the theory of planned behavior, it is more likely that beliefs about the importance of global warming predict intentions for willingness to make sacrifices rather than the reverse, and that given this presumed causal direction, the strength of this effect is moderated by cross‐national differences on the human development index. Conceptually, we agree that measuring pro‐environmental action in accord with self‐interest and/or requiring greater effort but not self‐sacrifice would provide a more complete picture.