Chapter 7: Correcting Climate Change Misinformation to Encourage Sustainable Consumption Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Perceived Scientific Consensus

In recent years, the resilience and sustainability of communities amid accelerating climate change have gained significant attention. While much research examines individual motivations to adopt climate-friendly lifestyles, misinformation about climate change poses a substantial challenge to scientific consensus. The extent to which perceived scientific consensus influences green consumerism remains underexplored. To address this gap, we conducted a between-subjects experiment exposing participants to climate misinformation, followed by either fact-checking or no fact-checking. Results showed that fact-checking messages emphasizing scientific consensus increased perceived consensus, which heightened environmental concern and, subsequently, green consumption behaviors. These findings contribute to research on resilience, sustainability, and climate change by examining not only the motivations behind sustainable lifestyle choices but also the influence of external message factors. Our study highlights the critical role of scientific consensus in combating misinformation and fostering behaviors that mitigate climate change.