Households’ Adoption of Drought Tolerant Plants: An Adaptation to Climate Change?

Adopting drought tolerant plants (DTPs) to conserve water is a potential adaptation to the predicted effects of climate change in the Midwest. Survey responses from 624 Missouri households were analyzed using a univariate probit model. DTP adoption was positively correlated with both low and high household incomes, living in rural subdivisions, time spent gardening, pro-environment attitudes, and concerns about drought. Policy interventions in newly drought-prone areas might include subsidizing the up-front cost of DTPs, requiring their use in new housing developments so DTPs are the default for buyers, and targeted educational efforts to environmental and gardening groups and rural residents.