Pro-environmental behaviors of climate skeptics: do beliefs matter? A study of the dry tropics, Australia

Despite the increasing certainty and acceptance of anthropogenic climate change in scientific and political arenas, skepticism about climate change persists in the general population. This study examines the climate change perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of residents of the dry tropics, north Queensland during a period of severe drought. Concern about climate change is ranked against other threats to the community, and their willingness and ability to reduce the perceived threat of climate change is assessed in relation to their beliefs. The results show that skeptics and climate-concerned individuals have similar levels of environmental knowledge and, despite their differing views on climate change, engage in pro-environmental behaviors such as switching lights off when not needed, installing environmentally friendly light bulbs, using a car less often, saving water and recycling. The beliefs and behaviors of climate skeptics have implications for behavioral change strategies directed at climate change--these are briefly outlined.