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.
Colorado House advances conversion therapy lawsuit bill; GOP lawmaker calls it ‘slap in the face’ to SCOTUS
Artemis II crew describes life aboard Orion spacecraft on historic journey to the moon and back
Erika Kirk and Karoline Leavitt talk free thinking and faith at TPUSA college tour kickoff
Karoline Leavitt reveals ‘anti-climatic’ way Trump told her she’d be press secretary: ‘Oh, by the way’
Trump slaps up to 100% tariff on some brand-name drug imports in major America First push
Two arrested in NC after police find 13-year-old kept in dog kennel, 5 other kids in ‘filthy’ home
Heart-pounding video shows fisherman leaping into ocean to save great white shark
Pete Hegseth signs memo opening door for troops to carry personal firearms on bases
Illegal migrant babysitter accused in 5-year-old attack now faces major charges
Florida, Mississippi join wave of states tightening voter citizenship rules
Trump Announces Plan to Help DHS Workers in Spite of ‘Radical Left’ Shutdown
Trump 2027 budget preview hints at sweeping scale-up in core agenda
Report: The Last Straw That Led to Trump Firing Pam Bondi Had to Do with Eric Swalwell
Gradual erosion of confidence led to Pam Bondi’s abrupt ouster
FBI Warns Congress of ‘Major’ Cyber Hack Involving China That Could Threaten National Security
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.”
Colorado House advances conversion therapy lawsuit bill; GOP lawmaker calls it ‘slap in the face’ to SCOTUS
Artemis II crew describes life aboard Orion spacecraft on historic journey to the moon and back
Erika Kirk and Karoline Leavitt talk free thinking and faith at TPUSA college tour kickoff
Karoline Leavitt reveals ‘anti-climatic’ way Trump told her she’d be press secretary: ‘Oh, by the way’
Trump slaps up to 100% tariff on some brand-name drug imports in major America First push
Two arrested in NC after police find 13-year-old kept in dog kennel, 5 other kids in ‘filthy’ home
Heart-pounding video shows fisherman leaping into ocean to save great white shark
Pete Hegseth signs memo opening door for troops to carry personal firearms on bases
Illegal migrant babysitter accused in 5-year-old attack now faces major charges
Florida, Mississippi join wave of states tightening voter citizenship rules
Trump Announces Plan to Help DHS Workers in Spite of ‘Radical Left’ Shutdown
Trump 2027 budget preview hints at sweeping scale-up in core agenda
Report: The Last Straw That Led to Trump Firing Pam Bondi Had to Do with Eric Swalwell
Gradual erosion of confidence led to Pam Bondi’s abrupt ouster
FBI Warns Congress of ‘Major’ Cyber Hack Involving China That Could Threaten National Security
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.
