A new study finds climate change skeptics are more likely to behave in eco-friendly ways than those who are highly concerned about the issue.
Do our behaviors really reflect our beliefs? New research suggests that, when it comes to climate change, the answer is no. And that goes for both skeptics and believers.
Participants in a year-long study who doubted the scientific consensus on the issue “opposed policy solutions,” but at the same time, they “were most likely to report engaging in individual-level, pro-environmental behaviors,” writes a research team led by University of Michigan psychologist Michael Hall.
Conversely, those who expressed the greatest belief in, and concern about, the warming environment “were most supportive of government climate policies, but least likely to report individual-level actions.”
Sorry, I didn’t have time to recycle—I was busy watching a documentary about the crumbling Antarctic ice shelf.
Three US Service Members Killed, Five Seriously Wounded During Operation Epic Fury Against Iran
Burger King Is Altering Its Flagship Burger for the First Time in Nearly 10 Years
Deadly Austin shooting that killed 3 may be ‘act of terrorism,’ FBI says
9 people injured in mass shooting at Riverfront Live in Cincinnati
Enemy within: Counterterrorism experts fear sleeper cells could be poised inside US
Kamala Harris Intervenes at Last Second in TX Dem Senate Race, Endorses Jasmine Crockett
GOP warns Democrats’ DHS shutdown could jeopardize World Cup security
Nancy Guthrie abduction sparks fears over senior safety in affluent communities: expert
Austin Police Kill Armed Gunman After 3 Die, 14 Wounded Bar Shooting
‘I Love Trump’: Viral Videos Show Iranians Praising Trump, Dancing in the Street Following US Strikes
Dems’ potential 2028 hopefuls come out against US strikes on Iran
‘Bloodthirsty Thugs’: Trump Celebrates Killing of Iranian Regime Leader in Lengthy Post
Hegseth Announces the Woke Organization Formerly Known as the Boy Scouts Will Drop DEI – But the Damage Is Already Done
Newsom book tour missteps expose national campaign ‘growing pains’
Republican NeverTrumpers Tried Throwing a Conference and the Results Were Less Than Stellar
The study, published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, followed more than 400 Americans for a full year. On seven occasions—roughly once every eight weeks—participants revealed their climate change beliefs, and their level of support for policies such as gasoline taxes and fuel economy standards.
They also noted how frequently they engaged in four environmentally friendly behaviors: recycling, using public transportation, buying “green” products, and using reusable shopping bags.
The researchers found participants broke down into three groups, which they labeled “skeptical,” “cautiously worried,” and “highly concerned.” While policy preferences of group members tracked with their beliefs, their behaviors largely did not: Skeptics reported using public transportation, buying eco-friendly products, and using reusable bags more often than those in the other two categories.
This pattern was found consistently through the year, leading the researchers to conclude that “belief in climate change does not appear to be a necessary or sufficient condition for pro-environmental behavior.”
Three US Service Members Killed, Five Seriously Wounded During Operation Epic Fury Against Iran
Burger King Is Altering Its Flagship Burger for the First Time in Nearly 10 Years
Deadly Austin shooting that killed 3 may be ‘act of terrorism,’ FBI says
9 people injured in mass shooting at Riverfront Live in Cincinnati
Enemy within: Counterterrorism experts fear sleeper cells could be poised inside US
Kamala Harris Intervenes at Last Second in TX Dem Senate Race, Endorses Jasmine Crockett
GOP warns Democrats’ DHS shutdown could jeopardize World Cup security
Nancy Guthrie abduction sparks fears over senior safety in affluent communities: expert
Austin Police Kill Armed Gunman After 3 Die, 14 Wounded Bar Shooting
‘I Love Trump’: Viral Videos Show Iranians Praising Trump, Dancing in the Street Following US Strikes
Dems’ potential 2028 hopefuls come out against US strikes on Iran
‘Bloodthirsty Thugs’: Trump Celebrates Killing of Iranian Regime Leader in Lengthy Post
Hegseth Announces the Woke Organization Formerly Known as the Boy Scouts Will Drop DEI – But the Damage Is Already Done
Newsom book tour missteps expose national campaign ‘growing pains’
Republican NeverTrumpers Tried Throwing a Conference and the Results Were Less Than Stellar
Hall and his colleagues can only speculate about the reasons for their results. But regarding the concerned but inactive, the psychological phenomenon known as moral licensing is a likely culprit.
Previous research has found doing something altruistic—even buying organic foods—gives us license to engage in selfish activity. We’ve “earned” points in our own mind. So if you’ve pledged some money to Greenpeace, you feel entitled to enjoying the convenience of a plastic bag.
Regarding climate change skeptics, remember that conservatism prizes individual action over collective efforts. So while they may assert disbelief in order to stave off coercive (in their view) actions by the government, many could take pride in doing what they can do on a personal basis.
The results suggest that “changing skeptical Americans’ minds need not be a top priority for climate policymakers,” at least if their goal is inspiring individual action. Perhaps the more urgent task is to focus on people who already grasp the problem, and get them to align their actions with their concern.
Story cited here.
