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.
Vance is the likely 2028 frontrunner, but these Republicans may also run for president
Oregon AG creates sanctuary ‘toolkit’ ahead of likely Trump-Homan illegal immigration crackdown
Year in review: Elon Musk’s evolution from uncommitted to Trump’s ‘first buddy’
Retired Georgia news anchor falls into ravine, rescued by helicopter in elaborate rescue: report
NYC stabbing: Man arrested in connection to unprovoked attack at Grand Central on Christmas Eve
Tom Cruise Awarded Medal by US Navy – Is This Well-Earned or Idiotic?
Trump picks Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera for Panama ambassador
New York City taxi cab plows into group of pedestrians on Christmas Day, leaves at least 6 injured
Suspected Murderer’s Worst Nightmare Comes True When People Notice Strange Google Street View Image
Body found in wheel well of United Airlines Christmas Eve flight from Chicago to Maui
Melania Will Make White House Christmas Decorations Great Again
Faith and Family Matter More Than Race and Status When It Comes to Children: Study
Trump and Biden offer Christmas greetings as US approaches transfer of power
Camera Catches Would-Be Arsonist as He Sets Wrong Thing on Fire – His Pants – Then Goes Streaking Into Night
AOC’s loss in bid for House committee chair signifies generational choice for Democrats
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.”
Vance is the likely 2028 frontrunner, but these Republicans may also run for president
Oregon AG creates sanctuary ‘toolkit’ ahead of likely Trump-Homan illegal immigration crackdown
Year in review: Elon Musk’s evolution from uncommitted to Trump’s ‘first buddy’
Retired Georgia news anchor falls into ravine, rescued by helicopter in elaborate rescue: report
NYC stabbing: Man arrested in connection to unprovoked attack at Grand Central on Christmas Eve
Tom Cruise Awarded Medal by US Navy – Is This Well-Earned or Idiotic?
Trump picks Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera for Panama ambassador
New York City taxi cab plows into group of pedestrians on Christmas Day, leaves at least 6 injured
Suspected Murderer’s Worst Nightmare Comes True When People Notice Strange Google Street View Image
Body found in wheel well of United Airlines Christmas Eve flight from Chicago to Maui
Melania Will Make White House Christmas Decorations Great Again
Faith and Family Matter More Than Race and Status When It Comes to Children: Study
Trump and Biden offer Christmas greetings as US approaches transfer of power
Camera Catches Would-Be Arsonist as He Sets Wrong Thing on Fire – His Pants – Then Goes Streaking Into Night
AOC’s loss in bid for House committee chair signifies generational choice for Democrats
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.
