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.
Rep. Tony Gonzales announces he will not seek re-election amid House Ethics investigation into affair
Federal agents arrest 12 alleged members of LA’s massive 18th Street gang drug trafficking operation
Ohio mother charged with murdering two daughters found buried in suitcases near Cleveland
DOJ officials say Biden autopen investigation has not closed despite reports
DOJ continues Biden autopen probe despite former president unlikely to face charges
US restores diplomatic relations with Venezuela amid push for democratic transition
Operation Epic Fury destroys Iran’s navy and cuts missile attacks by 90% in ongoing campaign
Army reservist, 20, killed in Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, spent final hours reassuring family: ‘I’m good’
California man allegedly fires gun near school zone, barricades in home before surrendering to SWAT pantless
Watch: Here’s the Moment That Appears to Have Cost Kristi Noem Her Job as DHS Secretary
Hegseth blasts Brits, says Iran’s chaotic retaliation has driven its own allies ‘into the American orbit’
Tears of joy and relief: DHS and Trump insiders celebrate Kristi Noem departure
Disaster for Tucker Carlson as Literally Millions of His Nicotine Pouches Are Hijacked by LA Pirates
Clinton-appointed judge orders government to begin refunding $130B in Trump tariffs after SCOTUS ruling
Trump’s new tariff plan barrels back to court following multistate lawsuit
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.”
Rep. Tony Gonzales announces he will not seek re-election amid House Ethics investigation into affair
Federal agents arrest 12 alleged members of LA’s massive 18th Street gang drug trafficking operation
Ohio mother charged with murdering two daughters found buried in suitcases near Cleveland
DOJ officials say Biden autopen investigation has not closed despite reports
DOJ continues Biden autopen probe despite former president unlikely to face charges
US restores diplomatic relations with Venezuela amid push for democratic transition
Operation Epic Fury destroys Iran’s navy and cuts missile attacks by 90% in ongoing campaign
Army reservist, 20, killed in Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, spent final hours reassuring family: ‘I’m good’
California man allegedly fires gun near school zone, barricades in home before surrendering to SWAT pantless
Watch: Here’s the Moment That Appears to Have Cost Kristi Noem Her Job as DHS Secretary
Hegseth blasts Brits, says Iran’s chaotic retaliation has driven its own allies ‘into the American orbit’
Tears of joy and relief: DHS and Trump insiders celebrate Kristi Noem departure
Disaster for Tucker Carlson as Literally Millions of His Nicotine Pouches Are Hijacked by LA Pirates
Clinton-appointed judge orders government to begin refunding $130B in Trump tariffs after SCOTUS ruling
Trump’s new tariff plan barrels back to court following multistate lawsuit
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.
