The misperception of carbon footprints of the rich and the poor

Laila Nockur; Sergio Pirla; Stefan Pfattheicher

doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102545

The misperception of carbon footprints of the rich and the poor

Laila Nockur^*, Sergio Pirla, Stefan Pfattheicher

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

Not everyone contributes to climate change to the same extent. While huge inequalities exist in consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions, we show (using a large representative sample, N = 1002) that US residents are largely unaware of the substantial carbon inequality within their country. In fact, 95% of respondents underestimate the carbon footprint of the top 1% consumers. At the same time, people wish for a more equal distribution of carbon footprints. These results were replicated in two independent samples (total N = 1455) and emerged across a range of demographic variables and climate change beliefs. Finally, in two experimental studies (total N = 2408), we demonstrate that learning about carbon inequality increased support for carbon taxes. Overall, the present paper shows that people substantially misperceive the carbon footprint of top consumers. Educating people about carbon inequality leads to support for legislative measures that aim to address overconsumption.

Original language	English
Article number	102545
Journal	Journal of Environmental Psychology
Volume	102
ISSN	0272-4944
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102545
Publication status	Published - Mar 2025

Keywords

Carbon footprint
Carbon tax
Inequality
Misperception

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10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102545Licence: CC BY

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title = "The misperception of carbon footprints of the rich and the poor",

abstract = "Not everyone contributes to climate change to the same extent. While huge inequalities exist in consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions, we show (using a large representative sample, N = 1002) that US residents are largely unaware of the substantial carbon inequality within their country. In fact, 95% of respondents underestimate the carbon footprint of the top 1% consumers. At the same time, people wish for a more equal distribution of carbon footprints. These results were replicated in two independent samples (total N = 1455) and emerged across a range of demographic variables and climate change beliefs. Finally, in two experimental studies (total N = 2408), we demonstrate that learning about carbon inequality increased support for carbon taxes. Overall, the present paper shows that people substantially misperceive the carbon footprint of top consumers. Educating people about carbon inequality leads to support for legislative measures that aim to address overconsumption.",

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N2 - Not everyone contributes to climate change to the same extent. While huge inequalities exist in consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions, we show (using a large representative sample, N = 1002) that US residents are largely unaware of the substantial carbon inequality within their country. In fact, 95% of respondents underestimate the carbon footprint of the top 1% consumers. At the same time, people wish for a more equal distribution of carbon footprints. These results were replicated in two independent samples (total N = 1455) and emerged across a range of demographic variables and climate change beliefs. Finally, in two experimental studies (total N = 2408), we demonstrate that learning about carbon inequality increased support for carbon taxes. Overall, the present paper shows that people substantially misperceive the carbon footprint of top consumers. Educating people about carbon inequality leads to support for legislative measures that aim to address overconsumption.

AB - Not everyone contributes to climate change to the same extent. While huge inequalities exist in consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions, we show (using a large representative sample, N = 1002) that US residents are largely unaware of the substantial carbon inequality within their country. In fact, 95% of respondents underestimate the carbon footprint of the top 1% consumers. At the same time, people wish for a more equal distribution of carbon footprints. These results were replicated in two independent samples (total N = 1455) and emerged across a range of demographic variables and climate change beliefs. Finally, in two experimental studies (total N = 2408), we demonstrate that learning about carbon inequality increased support for carbon taxes. Overall, the present paper shows that people substantially misperceive the carbon footprint of top consumers. Educating people about carbon inequality leads to support for legislative measures that aim to address overconsumption.

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The misperception of carbon footprints of the rich and the poor

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Keywords

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