Perceptions of CO2 Report - Global CCS Institute

• perceptions about the nature and severity of climate change, and related, whether and towhat extent CO 2 mitigation is required (Shackley, et al., 2005; Ashworth, et al., 2011b);• existing low socioeconomic status; desire for compensation and community benefits; andpast experience with government (Ray et. al., 2009; Ashworth, et al., 2011b).Despite this extensive body of work considering the factors that influence the general public’sperceptions of CCS, no current research exists that effectively, and specifically, explores theinfluence of knowledge about CO 2 on perceptions of CO 2 and perceptions of CCS as a mitigationtechnology.2.4 Links between knowledge of CO 2 and perceptions of CCSSome existing research does make a limited exploration of the relationship between CO 2knowledge and perceptions of CCS. In a recent study by Paukovic and colleagues (2011), highersurvey scores relating to overall knowledge of CO 2 were positively related to attitudes towardsCCS.Wallquist, Visschers and colleagues (2010) also touched on this topic in their investigation of theinfluence of knowledge (including knowledge of CO 2 ) and misconceptions on risk and benefitperceptions of CCS. They found that “knowledge of CO 2 and storage mechanisms decreased riskperception” of CCS technology. However, they go on to conclude that since their respondents hada limited understanding of CO 2 and subsurface conditions, “more knowledge about CO 2 might easepeople’s concerns about the risks of CCS but at the same time lead to less confidence in itsbenefits” (Wallquist, et al., 2010, p. 6561).While such work provides insight into the link between knowledge of CO 2 , and perceptions of CO 2and of CCS, no specific research has been conducted solely to explore this relationship. Theproject described in this report addresses this apparent gap in understanding.6 | Understanding how individuals perceive carbon dioxide