Someone had to say this eventually, and now, someone has. It has been apparent for a while (at least anecdotally) that conservative white men (CWM) in the U.S. are more prone than the average bear towards climate change denial. Now, based on new research by social scientists Aaron McCright and Riley Dunlap, we have the figures to back that up, including the following:
--- 14% of the general public doesn’t worry about climate change at all, but among CWMs the percentage jumps to 39%. --- 32% of adults deny there is a scientific consensus on climate change, but 59% of CWMs deny what the overwhelming majority of the world’s scientists have said. --- 3 adults in 10 don’t believe recent global temperature increases are primarily caused by human activity. Twice that many - 6 CWMs out of every ten – feel that way
Such are the data, but what are the underlying reasons? I'm going to say more about this on Monday--speaking from my unique white male perspective--but for now, just check out the study.
