How risks are perceived is based on subjective beliefs (whether rational or irrational) and is driven by psychological and cultural factors, values, norms, and social context. Further, perceptions of risks and reactions to address these risks are shaped by motivational processes. This can lead to maladaptive responses addressing climate change.
For instance, denial and failure to act transpire when a person perceives that a threat is uncontrollable. Exceptionalism or a belief that the risk would not happen to them (‘optimistic bias’) is another factor which influence climate change perceptions. Fatalism, or a belief that only God has the power over climate, also influence how individuals address climate change risks. While the ingrained cultural and religious beliefs are recognised to influence people’s adaptive responsiveness, these perceptions are understudied in tourism research.
Perceptions of climate change vulnerability and risk
by Aishath Shakeela
Griffith Research Online
http://www98.griffith.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/handle/10072/53147/86285_1.pdf;jsessionid=D78A1676907B03A2C4B5B880F351B4D1?sequence=1
How risks are perceived is based on subjective beliefs (whether rational or irrational) and is driven by psychological and cultural factors, values, norms, and social context (American Psychological Association, 2010).
Further, perceptions of risks and reactions to address these risks are shaped by motivational processes (Reser, Bradley, Glendon, Ellul, & Callaghan, 2012).
This can lead to maladaptive responses addressing climate change.
For instance, denial and failure to act transpire when a person perceives that a threat is uncontrollable (Uzzell, 2000).
Exceptionalism or a belief that the risk would not happen to them (‘optimistic bias’) is another factor which influence climate change perceptions (McCright & Dunlap, 2011).
Fatalism, or a belief that only God has the power over climate (Mortreux & Barnett, 2009; Wolf & Moser, 2011),
also influence how individuals address climate change risks. While the ingrained cultural and religious beliefs are recognised to influence people’s adaptive responsiveness, these perceptions are understudied in tourism research.
The Maldives is a highly sought after tourism destination which is also extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts. Some argue that as a result of rising sea-levels the mere existence of this small island destination is in question. The gravity of climate change related risks is so significant, that at one point the government stated its intention to set-up a sovereign fund to relocate the local population of just over 300,000 people to Australia. Using in-depth interviews with pertinent stakeholders actively involved in climate adaptation or risk reduction programs in the tourism sector, the aim of this research was to better understand perceptions of climate change vulnerability and risks among tourism stakeholders. This research illustrated that while there is some recognition of climate vulnerability and risks, there is no immediate concern about these risks among the interviewees. Implications of these findings on risk management in the tourism sector are discussed.