Climate change impacts and society in Rhineland-Palatinate

Climate change impacts and society in Rhineland-Palatinate

Project implementation: Prof. Dr. Uwe Jun, Oliver Drewes

Project duration: July 2023 – June 2024

Project description:
Climate change has an impact on numerous areas of social life and brings with it both the need for climate protection and adaptation to climate change impacts. The flood disaster in several regions in Rhineland-Palatinate (in particular the Ahr valley) has highlighted the power with which climate-influenced extreme weather phenomena can occur and increase. How do the people of Rhineland-Palatinate perceive climate change after such experiences? How do they assess the consequences of climate change for the economy, for our infrastructure and for their personal lives? Where do they have the competence and responsibility to act? To what extent is there a willingness to adapt to individual climate change impacts? Where are the risks of climate change impacts perceived more or less?
The purpose of the study is to support political, economic and civil society actors and institutions in their climate policy work by providing precise knowledge of the opinions and attitudes of the Rhineland-Palatinate population and to provide an analysis specific to the federal state. Precise knowledge of attitudes and willingness within the population forms the basis for exploiting and expanding the scope for political action. Communication and educational measures adapted to the needs of the population can also be taken to raise awareness of the issue, provide guidance and promote participation.

The study is funded and supported by the Competence Center for Climate Change Impacts of the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry for the Environment, Energy, Food and Forestry.