Comparing Expert and Layperson Perceptions of Ecosystems Risks from Global Climate Change. Toby Bussa, Jeffrey K. Lazo, Jason Kinnell, and Ann Fisher, Energy, Environmental, & Mineral Economics, 221 Walker, Penn. State Univ., University Park, PA 16802
This study attempts to address several issues: i) examining individual’s perceptions about how global climate change (GCC) might affect ecosystems, ii) helping experts understand what ordinary citizens are, or are not, concerned about regarding specific ecosystem impacts and why, and iii) developing methods for better eliciting individuals' valuations of these impacts. A closed-ended WEB based protocol elicits layperson and ecosystem expert’s understanding of risks to ecosystems. The survey extends prior work by McDaniels, Axelrad, and Slovic (Risk Analysis, 1995) to include GCC risks to ecosystems and to explicitly compare layperson and expert perceptions of ecological risks. Factor analysis is used to characterize and compare perceptions of general risks and GCC risks. Measures of divergence between laypeople and experts are used to suggest areas of emphasis for risk communication.