ABSTRACT

The risks that animals and humans face from climate change are frequently featured in climate change memes. Although memes may appear to some as silly jokes, little is known of the impact they may have in the formation and spread of individuals’ perceived risk of climate change and intention to participate in climate change campaigns. This study tests the effect of climate change memes on the perceived risk of climate change and the intention of online engagement regarding climate change issues. Results show that exposure to climate change memes increases individual intentions of online civic engagement regarding climate change. Additionally, empathy is found to mediate this effect. However, risk perception of climate change is not altered after exposure to climate change memes.

摘要

动物和人类面临的气候变化风险经常出现在气候变化模因中。尽管模因在某些人看来可能是愚蠢的笑话，但人们对它们在个人感知气候变化风险的形成和传播以及参与气候变化运动的意图方面可能产生的影响知之甚少。本研究测试了气候变化模因对气候变化感知风险的影响以及在线参与气候变化问题的意图。结果表明，接触气候变化模因会增加个人对气候变化在线公民参与的意愿。此外，发现同理心可以调节这种效果。然而，在暴露于气候变化模因后，对气候变化的风险感知并没有改变。