How perceived distance and lived experience influences water-related threat perceptions: a case study

Across the globe, countries grapple with strains on resources and the effects of climate change on the ways populations live. Australia’s fresh water supplies are vulnerable and the nation will continue to experience water security issues. Thus, understanding the perceptions of people to the water security threat will assist in developing effective mitigation strategies. To identify these perceptions, a case study of residents in the coastal city of Townsville in north Queensland, Australia, was undertaken. A total of 299 participants were recruited who completed an online survey that, in line with construal level theory, presented water scenarios as proximal and distal in terms of spatial, temporal, hypothetical and social distances. Results were that distal threats and previous exposure to water-security threats elicited higher individual threat perceptions. This research offers considerations for future water security mitigation strategies that encourage water-saving behaviour, particularly in this region.