Abstract
This study is aimed at improving the understanding of public support for climate adaptation in Florida. The objectives of this research were to: (1) evaluate the predictive power of the Value-Belief-Norm Theory (VBN) as it applies to public support for climate adaptation, and (2) compare the results of national and state public opinion polls regarding climate change to the results of this study. In order to achieve these objectives, a survey was conducted of Lee County, Florida residents. Data collection was based on a three-part survey of residents who were at least 18 years of age, members of a homeowners' association, and lived in storm-surge vulnerability zones. Data revealed that the VBN model successfully explains the pathway leading to public support of climate adaptation policies in the study area. This study tested four main variables from the VBN theory including the participants' ecological worldview (NEP), their awareness of the consequences of climate change (AC), feelings that they have contributed to the problem (AR), and support for adaptation (Support). The results show that awareness of consequences (AC) and ascription of responsibility (AR) are both positive predictors for mobilizing support for climate adaptation policies. Although NEP positively affects the participants' awareness of consequences, the results revealed that the participants' ecological worldview did not add to the predictive power of the VBM model. The findings suggest that although some adaptation policies receive the majority of public support among those surveyed there is still a significant number of individuals who are unaware of the risks or who deny the existence of climate change. The thesis concludes with a discussion of how the VBN theory could be applied to increase public support of adaptation policies, if Florida's communities wish to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.