Abstract
How does uncertainty about “dangerous” climate change affect
the prospects for international cooperation? Climate negotiations usually are
depicted as a prisoners’ dilemma game; collectively, countries are better off
reducing their emissions, but self-interest impels them to keep on emitting. We
provide experimental evidence, grounded in an analytical framework, showing
that the fear of crossing a dangerous threshold can turn climate negotiations
into a coordination game, making collective action to avoid a dangerous
threshold virtually assured.
journal reference (abstract free): pnas >>