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.
New Yorker suing ICE after officers went to his home to warn him over criticism of agency
WATCH: ‘The View’s Sunny Hostin Announces Lots of American Flags Make Her Feel Unsafe Because of ‘White Supremacy’
Popular Florida social media influencer killed in drive-by shooting while inside luxury SUV
ICYMI: CNN Says Jon Ossoff’s 2028 Presidential Chances Are Better Than Josh Shapiro’s Because He Doesn’t ‘Read as Jewish’
Top Platner ally turns on him after bombshell rape allegation rocks campaign: ‘Red line’
Report warns Russia using shadow fleet to probe NATO drone defenses
WATCH: Muslim Goes Viral Shouting, ‘This Is the Islamic Republic of New Yorkistan… Mamdani’s New York,’ Claims ‘Islam Will Be in Every Household’
Bo Derek Rips COVID Vaccine Mandates in Bill Maher Interview: ‘That’s a Problem’
Smoke from record DC fireworks show triggered ‘Code Red’ air-quality alert
Resolute rest: Child dozes off against famous desk during Trump’s accounts speech
Sen. Mark Kelly, Likely 2028 Dem Presidential Hopeful, Roots for Mexico in World Cup, Brags on Social Media About It
Mamdani Ripped for ‘Curious’ Response to U.S. Red Card Getting Overturned with Trump Involvement
Israeli constitutional crisis deepens as opposition cries ‘anarchy,’ president warns noncompliance is ‘red line’
Blue city gang bangers slapped with multiple charges after massive sex trafficking crackdown
Slain New Jersey therapist’s sister says family is living a ‘nightmare’ one month later
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.”
New Yorker suing ICE after officers went to his home to warn him over criticism of agency
WATCH: ‘The View’s Sunny Hostin Announces Lots of American Flags Make Her Feel Unsafe Because of ‘White Supremacy’
Popular Florida social media influencer killed in drive-by shooting while inside luxury SUV
ICYMI: CNN Says Jon Ossoff’s 2028 Presidential Chances Are Better Than Josh Shapiro’s Because He Doesn’t ‘Read as Jewish’
Top Platner ally turns on him after bombshell rape allegation rocks campaign: ‘Red line’
Report warns Russia using shadow fleet to probe NATO drone defenses
WATCH: Muslim Goes Viral Shouting, ‘This Is the Islamic Republic of New Yorkistan… Mamdani’s New York,’ Claims ‘Islam Will Be in Every Household’
Bo Derek Rips COVID Vaccine Mandates in Bill Maher Interview: ‘That’s a Problem’
Smoke from record DC fireworks show triggered ‘Code Red’ air-quality alert
Resolute rest: Child dozes off against famous desk during Trump’s accounts speech
Sen. Mark Kelly, Likely 2028 Dem Presidential Hopeful, Roots for Mexico in World Cup, Brags on Social Media About It
Mamdani Ripped for ‘Curious’ Response to U.S. Red Card Getting Overturned with Trump Involvement
Israeli constitutional crisis deepens as opposition cries ‘anarchy,’ president warns noncompliance is ‘red line’
Blue city gang bangers slapped with multiple charges after massive sex trafficking crackdown
Slain New Jersey therapist’s sister says family is living a ‘nightmare’ one month later
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.
