Beyond the finite pool of worry: War experiences and climate change concerns in Ukraine

TL;DR

This study shows that people in Ukraine who are heavily impacted by war are more concerned about climate change, challenging the idea that worries are limited.

Contribution

The study challenges the 'finite pool of worry' hypothesis by showing that war impacts can increase climate concerns.

Findings

War-affected individuals in Ukraine show heightened climate change concerns.

Severe crises can amplify awareness of interconnected global risks.

Environmental considerations are important in post-conflict dialogue and reconstruction.

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between self-reported war impacts on personal lives and climate change concerns in Ukraine, challenging the "finite pool of worry" hypothesis. Based on survey data, the research reveals that individuals who perceive their lives as critically affected by the war exhibit heightened climate change concerns, suggesting that severe crises can amplify awareness of interconnected global risks. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of risk perception in societies navigating multiple crises and emphasize the importance of environmental considerations in post-conflict dialogue and reconstruction efforts. The study underscores the complex social dynamics of risk perception, advocating for a shift beyond individual psychological explanations toward a more comprehensive understanding of how societies collectively navigate interconnected threats.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13280-025-02291-w.