Public Attitudes to Responding to Global Catastrophic Risks: A New Zealand Case Study

This paper examines public opinion on the New Zealand government’s potential role in planning for global catastrophic risks. Based on a representative survey, 66% of respondents supported the government developing specific plans to address catastrophic risks, and 60% supported establishing a dedicated commission or agency. Support was positively associated with age, education, income, and trust in scientists, with no significant differences by gender, ethnicity, or political orientation. The authors suggest that future research should explore the underlying reasons for opposition and how the public weighs policy trade-offs.