Is climate change a valid reason for migration? Evidence from a conjoint experiment

Journal of Elections Public Opinion and Parties, vol. 36, pp. 757–778

Abstract

Significant changes in climate that impact livelihoods, physical health, and human security raise the question: Is climate change perceived as a valid criterion for long-term immigration, and if so, by whom and under what circumstances? To address these questions, we conducted a well-powered conjoint experiment with a quota-representative sample of Dutch respondents. Consistent with recent literature, our findings reveal that, in terms of public favorability, climate migrants are perceived more favorably than economic migrants but less favorably than asylum seekers fleeing persecution. Moreover, our results challenge the expectation that political ideology and climate attitudes moderate the favorability toward climate migrants.

Authors 3

1. Michaël Faure

   Maastricht University · Erasmus University Rotterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Erasmus University Rotterdam

   Maastricht University

2. Jarosław Kantorowicz corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

3. Akiva Weiss

   City University of New York · City College of New York

   Affiliation as printed

   City College, City University of New York