Moral Foundations and Public Perceptions of Carbon Capture and Storage with Induced Seismicity

Abstract

Moral foundations held by the public significantly influence attitudes towards energy transition policies like carbon capture and storage (CCS). This study examined the relationships between moral foundations and public perception of CCS with induced seismicity risks in a nationally representative survey of Americans, while controlling for political party and orientation. The binding moral foundation of Loyalty and the individualizing foundation of Care were associated with support for CCS, despite the risk of small earthquakes. In contrast, the individualizing foundation of Fairness and the binding foundations of Authority and Purity were correlated with opposition to CCS when considering the possibility of induced seismicity. An interaction effect was observed between the moral foundation of Loyalty and political orientation. Liberals and moderates tended to increase their support for CCS with the risk of earthquakes as their in-group loyalty increased, while conservatives' support remained unchanged with increasing in-group loyalty. These findings suggest effective energy transition strategies should consider moral foundation dynamics in policy design and public messaging, particularly for climate mitigation aspects involving seismicity risks. Tailoring approaches to align with distinct moral concerns of different population segments could enhance public acceptance of carbon-mitigating energy solutions. Policymakers and communicators should address underlying moral foundations shaping public attitudes to develop more targeted strategies for building support, especially for methods with inherent risks.