Howe

Peter D. Howe

Assistant Professor of Environment and Society, Utah State University
Chapter Member: Utah SSN

About Peter

Howe is a geographer specializing in environmental risks and society; particularly risks related to climate change. His research focuses on how people perceive; understand; and communicate about environmental risks; how attitudes vary between places; and how people make decisions to respond to risks. His research and teaching employ Geographic Information Systems; mapping; and statistical analysis.

Contributions

What Do Americans Think about Climate Change at the State and Local Level?

  • Peter D. Howe
  • Jennifer R. Marlon

In the News

Research discussed by Adam Rogers, in "Your Weather Tweets are Showing Your Climate Amnesia," Wired, February 25, 2019.
Interviewed in "A New Study Shows That More Utahns Are Discussing Climate Change," Utah Public Radio, August 16, 2018.
Research discussed by "Proximity to Fracking Sites Affects Public Support of Them, Study Finds," EurekAlert!, April 30, 2018.
Research discussed by Emma Penrod, in "Cold Temps are a Recipe for Skepticism about Climate Change, Utah State Study Says," Salt Lake Tribune, December 22, 2016.
Quoted by Katie Peikes in "UN Climate Talks Will be 'Significant Step,' but Action is Needed," Herald Journal, December 8, 2015.
Research discussed by David Roberts, in "8 Maps That Reveal Americans' Incoherent Opinions on Climate Change," Vox, June 2, 2015.
Research discussed by Suzanne Jacobs, in "Meet the United States of Divided Climate Beliefs," Grist, April 7, 2015.
Research discussed by Andrew C. Revkin, in "No Red and Blue Divide When it Comes to Renewable Energy Innovation and CO2 Rules," New York Times, April 6, 2015.
Research discussed by Michael Casey, in "These States are Least Concerned about Global Warming," CBS News, April 6, 2015.

Publications

"Geographic Variation in Opinions on Climate Change at State and Local Scales in the USA" (with Matto Mildenberger, Jennifer Marlon, and Anthony Leiserowitz). Nature Climate Change (2015).
Maps public opinion about climate change across the United States and provides estimates of beliefs, risk perceptions, and policy support in every state, congressional district, and county.
"Mapping the Shadow of Experience of Extreme Weather Events" (with Hilary Boudet, Edward Maibach, and Anthony Leiserowitz). Climatic Change 127 (2014): 381-389.
Examines the factors that influence people’s first-hand experience of extreme weather events, including droughts, hurricanes, and tornadoes, using national survey data.
"Who Remembers a Hot Summer or a Cold Winter? The Asymmetric Effect of Beliefs about Global Warming on Perceptions of Local Seasonal Climate Conditions in the U.S." Global Environmental Change 23 (2013): 1488-1500.
Using national survey data, shows that people tend to remember local weather conditions through the lens of their beliefs about global warming.