About Us

Our project investigates the complex ways that institutions influence climate policy. One major research strand explores the connection between institutions communicating climate risk and policy information and the way the public perceives it. We use experimental methods to test whether the public responds more or less positively to international vs. national experts, different government actors (e.g. local vs. regional vs. national government), and private actors (e.g. insurers, corporations). We are especially interested in how this might affect political polarization of the public around climate risk and policy. We also examine how legal institutions, such as federalism, rights and the courts create challenges and opportunities for climate policy. Our research is comparative and is focused on Canada and the US.