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.
Mississippi man accused of killing six in shooting spree pleads not guilty
Rep Ro Khanna demands prosecution of ICE agent in Minneapolis fatal shooting
Jack Smith to testify next week at a public House Judiciary Committee hearing
Nonprofit revenue totals surge amid growing scrutiny after major fraud cases
Trump imposes 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran
‘Disturbance’ at Georgia Prison Leaves 3 Inmates Dead, a Dozen More Injured
Trump rips congestion pricing, calls for immediate end: ‘A disaster for New York’
Minnesota sues Trump admin over sweeping immigration raids in Twin Cities
Data Is In: Homes Becoming More Affordable as Trump Admin Removes Illegal Aliens
Tyler Robinson prosecutors say Charlie Kirk shooting texts show confusion, not bias, to rebut conflict claim
Ex-congressional IT aide accused of stealing 240 government phones and selling them at pawn shop
Senate advances $174B package as Minnesota ICE shooting fuels DHS funding fight
Man Arrested After Attack on School Bus Seriously Injures 8-Year-Old Girl
Jeffries says DHS Secretary Noem ‘should be run out of town’ amid ICE shooting backlash
Iran’s crown prince calls for renewed nationwide protests despite killings: ‘This is a war’
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.”
Mississippi man accused of killing six in shooting spree pleads not guilty
Rep Ro Khanna demands prosecution of ICE agent in Minneapolis fatal shooting
Jack Smith to testify next week at a public House Judiciary Committee hearing
Nonprofit revenue totals surge amid growing scrutiny after major fraud cases
Trump imposes 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran
‘Disturbance’ at Georgia Prison Leaves 3 Inmates Dead, a Dozen More Injured
Trump rips congestion pricing, calls for immediate end: ‘A disaster for New York’
Minnesota sues Trump admin over sweeping immigration raids in Twin Cities
Data Is In: Homes Becoming More Affordable as Trump Admin Removes Illegal Aliens
Tyler Robinson prosecutors say Charlie Kirk shooting texts show confusion, not bias, to rebut conflict claim
Ex-congressional IT aide accused of stealing 240 government phones and selling them at pawn shop
Senate advances $174B package as Minnesota ICE shooting fuels DHS funding fight
Man Arrested After Attack on School Bus Seriously Injures 8-Year-Old Girl
Jeffries says DHS Secretary Noem ‘should be run out of town’ amid ICE shooting backlash
Iran’s crown prince calls for renewed nationwide protests despite killings: ‘This is a war’
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.
