COVID-19, turfgrass preferences, and climate change perceptions: Exploring the role of demographics and weather variability

Chapter one investigates how the Covid-19 pandemic affected consumer preferences for turfgrass attributes, using survey data from January 2019 (pre-pandemic) and April 2021 (post-pandemic). A mixed logit model captures individual differences in preferences, and willingness-to-pay (WTP) estimates are compared across time. The model is re-estimated for risk-seeking and risk-averse consumers to determine the role of climate risk attitudes. A random-effects panel model further analyzes how demographics and risk attitudes influence WTP for improved turfgrass traits. Results show that WTP increased overall during the pandemic, particularly among risk-averse consumers, suggesting growing demand for drought-tolerant and stress-resistant turfgrasses in the face of climate change and health crises. Chapter two examines how demographic characteristics and weather variability influence climate change perceptions. Using two surveys and a heteroskedastic ordered probit model, the study finds that political affiliation, age, education, race, and gender significantly shape attitudes, with Republicans, older adults, and less-educated individuals showing lower acceptance. Going beyond general attitudes, the chapter assesses concern for specific climate risks (e.g., drought, extreme heat) using linear, quadratic, lagged, and coefficient of variation models. Results show that temperature and precipitation affect concern in non-linear, seasonally distinct ways, particularly in summer and winter. National data from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) confirms these patterns, emphasizing consistent demographic trends and the importance of question framing. Even skeptical groups show modest concern when climate change is not directly referenced, showing the roles of weather patterns and demographic heterogeneity in shaping public perception.