Perceptions of environmental change and beliefs in the effectiveness of pro‐environmental actions

Abstract The 2020s have seen increasing environmental change and it is nearly impossible to deny that human actions are driving it. Individual‐level actions are important for mitigating environmental change and facilitating adaptation. However, there is debate over the relationship between perceptions of the risks of environmental change and taking pro‐environmental actions that can mitigate them. Few studies examine how perceptions of environmental change influence perceptions of the most effective actions to mitigate environmental change, a mediating step between perception and action. This paper examines these relationships and finds that people are most likely to perceive environmental changes they can experience firsthand, in natural bodies of water and green spaces. It also finds that those who perceive change may be more sceptical of symbolic flagship behaviours than those who are less aware of environmental changes. Findings identify leverage points where environmental education can be most effective in translating perception to pro‐environmental action.