Discussions, opinions and decisions regarding options for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions are oftenunderpinned by an assumption that people know what carbon dioxide (CO2) is and how it behaves.
Nevertheless, there has been little empirical evidence to suggest this is actually the case.
Renewableenergy technologies as well as technologies such as CO2capture and storage (CCS) present potentialsolutions for mitigating the anthropogenic emissions of CO2.
In discussions and information provided onclimate change and mitigation technologies, CO2is referred to regularly, particularly in regards to CCS, asCO2is the fundamental underpinnings of the technology.
Yet surprisingly little research has investigatedlevels of knowledge and understanding of CO2and how this affects perceptions and understanding ofenergy technologies, especially CCS.
With a sample of 2470 participants from three countries (Australia,the Netherlands and Japan), our research found respondents had a general understanding of CO2but poorknowledge of its scientific dimensions.
These misperceptions were directly related to misperceptionsof CCS, yet indirectly related to their opinion on the implementation of the technology.
It was foundthat providing information on the scientific characteristics of CO2reduced misunderstanding of CCS andmitigated some change in opinion formation on CCS implementation.
Overall, our research demonstratedthat assumed knowledge of CO2in the general public is partially flawed and has the potential to impactfuture dialogue and uptake of mitigation options.