CHE Seminar Series: Does warm weather cool voters down? How temperature shocks impact climate concerns, voting, and policy preferences
We explore how regional temperature variations in OECD countries affect political behavior, climate anxiety, economic concerns about green policies, and support for climate adaptation compensation. Using individual-level survey data and election results, we show that exposure to higher temperatures reduces support for extreme/populist parties and increases climate concerns and support for parties with green agendas. Effects are driven by older voters’ heightened climate and economic cost concerns: this group becomes “greener” but simultaneously demands policies designed to mitigate these costs. Our results suggest that achieving widespread climate policy support requires parties to jointly advocate for green agendas and targeted compensation.
Speaker profile
Maria Cotofan is an Assistant Professor at King’s College London, a Research Affiliate at the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP), a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics, and a Research Associate at the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford. Maria works at the intersection of applied microeconomics, behavioural economics, and policy evaluation. Her research focuses on topics such as inequality, the effects of deprivation and poor economic experiences, labour market functioning, and the causes and consequences of poor mental health.
Weekly seminar series
As part of our Centre's vibrant research culture, we host a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
For further information on our seminar series, please contact Trong-Anh.Trinh@monash.edu
Event Details
- Date:
- 18 February 2026 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- Venue:
- Caulfield campus, Building H, level 9, room H9.02
- Categories:
- CHE Seminar; General
Description
We explore how regional temperature variations in OECD countries affect political behavior, climate anxiety, economic concerns about green policies, and support for climate adaptation compensation. Using individual-level survey data and election results, we show that exposure to higher temperatures reduces support for extreme/populist parties and increases climate concerns and support for parties with green agendas. Effects are driven by older voters’ heightened climate and economic cost concerns: this group becomes “greener” but simultaneously demands policies designed to mitigate these costs. Our results suggest that achieving widespread climate policy support requires parties to jointly advocate for green agendas and targeted compensation.
Speaker profile
Maria Cotofan is an Assistant Professor at King’s College London, a Research Affiliate at the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP), a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics, and a Research Associate at the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford. Maria works at the intersection of applied microeconomics, behavioural economics, and policy evaluation. Her research focuses on topics such as inequality, the effects of deprivation and poor economic experiences, labour market functioning, and the causes and consequences of poor mental health.
Weekly seminar series
As part of our Centre's vibrant research culture, we host a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
For further information on our seminar series, please contact Trong-Anh.Trinh@monash.edu