Visiting a Climate-Influenced National Park: The Stability of Climate Change Perceptions

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• 作者：Matthew Tyler James Brownlee (1)
  Jeffrey C. Hallo (2)
  Brett A. Wright (2)
  Dewayne Moore (3)
  Robert B. Powell (2)
  
• 关键词：Climate change ; Park management ; Visitor experience ; Structural equation modeling
• 刊名：Environmental Management
• 出版年：2013
• 出版时间：November 2013
• 年：2013
• 卷：52
• 期：5
• 页码：1132-1148
• 全文大小：
• 作者单位：Matthew Tyler James Brownlee (1)
  Jeffrey C. Hallo (2)
  Brett A. Wright (2)
  Dewayne Moore (3)
  Robert B. Powell (2)
  
  1. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, University of Utah, 1901 E. South Campus Drive, Annex C, Room 1070, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
  2. Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, 280 B Lehotsky Hall, Clemson, SC, 29630, USA
  3. Department of Psychology, Clemson University, 261 Brackett Hall, Clemson, SC, 29630, USA
  
• ISSN：1432-1009

文摘

Understanding perceptions of global environmental issues, such as climate change, can help inform resource management, policy development, and communication with constituents. Although a considerable amount of research documents citizens?perceptions of climate change, few have investigated how interactions with climate-impacted parks and protected areas influence these perceptions, and consequently elements of environmental management. Using a mixed methods Instrument Development Approach, the researchers examined the stability of park visitors?(N?=?429) climate change perceptions during a daylong interaction with climate-sensitive and influenced resources at Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. Results indicate that global-level beliefs about climate change remained relatively stable during a park experience, but perceptions about climate change at the park-level (e.g., impacts) appeared more malleable. Findings also revealed the type of park experience (terrestrial vs. marine) can influence the degree of change in visitors?perceptions. Implications for communication, outreach, and park management are discussed.