A Comparison of Perceptions of Climate Change in 10 Countries

Abstract

This article examines how Koreans perceive climate change and related policy responses, drawing on data from “Societal Challenges, Public Opinions, and Public Policies in 10 Countries,” a 2024 survey study conducted by de la Porte et al. Given that, as the impact of climate change unfolds over an extended period of time, intergenerational justice has become a topic of global interest, this article explores how public perceptions of climate change and related policies vary across different age groups. Koreans are more concerned about climate change than other social issues, with older Koreans showing even greater concern. While young adults in Korea remain highly concerned, they tend to view themselves as more likely to be adversely affected by carbon reduction policies than older adults perceive themselves to be. Koreans are as willing to slow global warming by reducing their consumption as they are concerned about climate change. In Korea, unlike in other countries, the belief that the older generation is more responsible for climate change—while shared across different generations—is more strongly endorsed by older adults themselves, who are thus highly motivated to make necessary changes. This suggests that Koreans take intergenerational justice seriously in the context of climate change, which creates a favorable environment for developing strategies to address the climate crisis.