On TikTok, she debunks disinformation about climate change, but says she's given up trying to engage with hardcore conspiracy theorists. He also loves dogs, cooking, hiking, and rock climbing (in no particular order). "Telling people that they don't know what they're talking about, or that they're wrong, just creates more defensive responses.". There is a distinct difference between a denier and a skeptic. A study has thrown light onto why people deny climate change - and how to change their minds. But only 57% believe humans cause it. Climate change: How to talk to a denier - BBC News Wake up to the day's most important news. "The trick is honesty," says Rothstein. The issue with the term global warming is that adding energy into the atmosphere manifests in extreme weather, not just warmer weather. Regardless of a child's age, parents should avoid emphasizing fear or helplessness when they talk about climate change. Jessica Colarossi How to Talk to a Science Denier: Lee McIntyre on Skeptical Inquirer Bloomfield Knowing the "why" behind the denial can help those who are concerned about climate change communicate more effectively with those who question the science behind it. Jylha's studies found that climate change denial correlates strongly with conservative political orientation, authoritarian attitudes and support for the status quo. "It's a lot easier for people to say, 'I have a problem with the science' than it is to talk . To get them to care about the issue, she said, you need to "figure out a way to connect it to their own experience and their own lives ." i. Climate change, he told Lance, was completely "overblown". Final score: 168 points. Similarly, the weatherman is always wrong. I dont think I exaggerate when I say that lack of belief in climate change is the main obstacle to keeping the planet a place on which humans and other species can live comfortably. Climate change: Where do Republicans stand on climate issues? | Opinion And so thats what my research has shown, that the broader population consists not just of the loud voices that we hear regularly on different kinds of media spouting climate change conspiracy theoriestheyre a small minority, in fact, theyre just very loud, so we think theyre everywhere. CLAIM 1: Anthropogenic carbon dioxide can't be changing climate, because CO2 is only a trace gas in the atmosphere and the amount produced by humans is dwarfed by the amount from volcanoes and . How to Talk to Climate Change Deniers | The New Republic VideoWhy we know so little about the battle for Kherson, Scholz in China calls for economic ties 'as equals', The conspiracy theorists who could run US elections, Why the latest UN climate conference matters. Scientists, politicians, and regulators are constantly trying to figure out which risks will alarm people. Please, stop this. Have a debate about whether it makes sense to push for it politically, here in the US. There is clear evidence that over the past seventeen years, the global temperature has risen by 0.09F. Im not sure why such gaslighting is considered acceptable in an academic environment. Dana Ferrante: This is Question of the Week, from BU Today. Our podcast focuses on the deniers, people who simply do not believe in climate change. take on the matter, courtesy of Michael Crichton: https://stephenschneider.stanford.edu/Publications/PDF_Papers/Crichton2003.pdf. And so, thats the real difference between amplifiers and those who are vulnerable: amplifiers are folks who may not be worth anybodys time, because theyre so far into their belief systems that youre not really going to change those belief systems at this point. Climate change deniers defy research, logic, compassion for nature or the wellbeing of our species, mainly to argue a religious or economic ideal. Responding to Climate Change Deniers with Simple Facts and Logic Your email address will not be published. One of the more common arguments made by climate change deniers is that it's impossible to predict the weather years in advance, seeing as how meteorologists can only make educated guesses at. What Issues Will Decide the 2022 Midterm Elections? If the situation is handled correctly, communicators can nudge these skeptics away from the side of the spectrum where they don't want to deal with climate change at all. This was great! Abbie Richards researches the spread of misinformation on social media. With time and patience, Lance managed to convince his father that climate change was real - so much so that he was surprised by his own success. Have a question or topic idea for a future episode? Advertisement. Those folks are who I refer to as disinformation-amplifiers. So first, arming yourself with some ideas and some arguments, doing your own research about the kinds of pieces of misinformation that are out there, as well as ways that you can argue against them, is something that is important. Chronicling Russia's Invasion of Ukraine. How to persuade climate change deniers to change their mind - Yahoo! News Ask one simple question: If the answer is nothing, well theres nothing you can say or do. Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering. 1. is a science writer for The Brink. Deniers tend to exhibit. Snickers? And third, what kinds and to what extent have they accepted misinformation about climate change? How do you argue with climate change deniers? Colarossi: That sounds so interesting; thank you so much for being here. In reality, climate change misinformation and disinformation amplifiers . Climate Denial: Why It Happens and What To Do About It Studies suggest consensus among scientists is as high as 97 percent. Skocpol may have a messageshe prefers cap-and-dividend to cap-and-trade, since those dividends mean money in voters pocketsand, presumably, shed know she was right if that legislation passed. Prof van der Linden believes that changing the minds of climate deniers is impossible without affirming - to some extent - their worldview. Brian Anderson (left) was convinced climate change was 'nonsense' until his son Lance Lawson started discussing it with him, Prof Sander van der Linden says facts don't always change minds - in fact, they might backfire, Abbie Richards is sceptical about the merit of arguing with climate change deniers, Reciting the facts isn't always the answer, Why we know so little about the battle for Kherson. Why climate skeptics and evolution deniers joined forces Climate change and evolution came under attack for different reasons, but now their skeptics are banding together. Say your loved one gets resistant its bound to happen for many of us its okay to back off. This argument is a favorite of famous climate change denier Rush Limbaugh, and it is just simply false. But if they come back with specifics, thats when coming prepared with evidence and fact-checked news articles puts you in a good position to refute misinformation respectfully. "I don't give credibility to people who are denying climate science, and I don't want to waste my energy on debunking more of their disinformation.". We have species heading towards extinction as a link to the change in climate (https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1913007117). Your disinformation-vulnerable folks are folks who may or may not be motivated. Changing Minds: How Do You Communicate with Climate Change Skeptics? So, how do I talk to a climate change denier? Talking to science deniers and sceptics is not hopeless When talked about in these contexts as opposed to climate change, deniers will be more receptive to your arguments. But how exactly do you go about starting the conversation? In fact, studies suggest that 97 percent or more of actively publishing climate scientists believe climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely due to human activities. While it might be tempting to try to bluntly fight conspiracy theories with facts, "there's a very high chance it backfires". But Gail Whiteman, professor of sustainability at the University of Exeter, says it's important to talk: "If we don't tackle climate denial and climate indifference, then the uphill battle to find a safer future is lost. You may not be able to change their mind in the moment and in fact, really trying to change their mind will probably make them just shut down and harden their beliefs. What's the Best Way to Convince a Climate Change Denier? Instead of starting off strong, mention climate change in a casual conversation about an entirely different topic or by talking about current events, like extreme weather or an upcoming election. Last point, I think what's happening too is independents right now are deciding not just for whom to vote but the whether . If youre able, share an episode or give us a follow wherever you listen to podcasts. Colarossi: Like the advertising, you mean, is not really regulated? Try to gauge: how strong their attitudes are, how motivated they are by climate change, what kinds, and to what extent, have they accepted climate change misinformation, In reality, climate change misinformation and disinformation amplifiers are a small minority of the population. She graduated with a BS in journalism from Emerson College in 2016, with focuses on environmental studies and publishing. This is the kindest interpretation of what youre saying. "A key. Then we need to convince them it's man-made. Whatever inspires you to myth-bust this holiday season, here are six ways to respond to your family's climate-denying comments. Thats the case with any disinformation [or] misinformation posts, where the original post gets a lot of virality, gets a lot of coverage, but any corrections or retractions of the original post or news story dont. We all want the best for our loved ones, and simply agreeing on that is a start towards a larger climate conversation. Krishna: Thats a complex question, as you can imagine. I think even deniers could be persuaded if people avoided moralizing and preaching and shame tactics and focused on solutions whatever form they come in. So there are things like misinformation that is all about climate change scientists and how theyre alarmist, theyre out to make money out of climate change, and they are not reliable. Listen to local people. We want to change that. "And they're still dropping. Sander van der Linden is professor of social psychology at the University of Cambridge, and studies how people get sucked into conspiracy theories. It was the tone. Falling down the rabbit hole of conspiratorial thinking can be a long process - taking months, or even years. Profile. Understanding climate change denial - Australian Ethical 2022 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Ted Cruz in an interview with CNN in 2016: And the problem with climate change is theres never been a day in the history of the world in which the climate is not changing., CNN interviewer: So you dont believe that theres any man-made reason for global warming or climate change?, Cruz: What I think is the data are not supporting what the advocates are arguing.. Jessica Colarossi: Climate change denial and misinformation have been around since scientists first began documenting the causes and dangers of climate change. "My father is a very smart man," he says. But only 57% believe humans cause it. "Effort is better spent on pushing for actual change, rather than trying to combat solidified disinformation that has been pushed for years," she says. What evidence do you have that climate change is not an existential threat to all species on the planet? Use this as an opportunity to get an understanding of what their concerns are and where theyre coming from. He says years of research have shown him that confronting people with hard evidence is not the way to go. Its called the cultural cognition of risk, and its best-known advocate is a handsome, puckish law and psychology professor at Yale named Dan Kahan. (Incidentally, Kahan sees evidence of scientific groupthink on both sides of the ideological spectrum.) Climate change: How to talk to a denier - BBC News With few in the party willing to directly push back on Trump over the issue for fear of alienating the base or angering the mercurial former President, the GOP's push to shake its image as the . But if you have somebody whos more tentative about their attitudes towards climate change, they may be more willing to listen to you, and the kinds of things that they have accepted as misinformation are easily correctable, thats when you know that you may be able to engage with that person in a conversation about climate change. I am not saying it solves all problems, but if the situation is as dire as they claim why not look into it? What is the downside of accepting that climate change is real, and trying to make investments in making sure that the air is clean, making sure that there is little to no pollution? But if you contradict your friends or powerful members of your groupthat could cost you dearly. It can also help you avoid triggering what psychologists call the backfire effect, the phenomenon where people hearing evidence that disproves their closely held beliefs feel personally threatened and only cling on tighter than ever. Why Are This Years Midterm Elections Especially Important? Brian Anderson (left) was convinced climate change was 'nonsense' until his son Lance Lawson started discussing it with him. Some psychologists, such as Daniel Kahneman, say that most people just arent very good at deliberation; they process difficult scientific material too quickly and emotionally to estimate risk accurately. So, by knowing this perspective, you may be able to better empathize with and talk to climate change deniers. "He basically told me something along the lines of 'It's nonsense'," Lance recalls. according to a 2009 survey, 97 per cent of published climate scientists believe that humanity is changing the climate. . The study estimated that 70% of respondents believe in climate change. The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it For example, wanting a better planet for your kids, safe drinking water, and concerns about extreme weather, like wildfires and hurricanes, in your area. Deniers also complain that funding for climate science has increased which makes sense given the need to understand how much-or-little we affect the climate. Meanwhile, evidence is growing that rebuttals can be effective. Why we should stop labelling people climate change deniers Dont look at this as a one-time conversation and an argument you have to win then and there. 1) Make it personal "Most people do not give a shit about climate change," said HuffPost environmental reporter Kate Sheppard in 2013. We all know someoneperhaps an uncle or a friends mom on Facebookwho is a climate change denier. Send an email to today@bu.edu. Most TCCDs will not change their mind. We really hope youve been enjoying this episode of Question of the Week and we want to thank you for tuning in. From extreme weather events to record-breaking heat, the evidence of how our climate is changing is right in front of us, but some people still wont see these signs for what they are. Second, how motivated are they about climate change as a topic? But also, I always suggest as a last resort: ask, So what? Did we join some of these shadow groups to work against some of the early efforts? The reporters werent wrong, but they missed something, perhaps because it was so obvious it slipped beneath notice. AmericasPower.orgs Clean Coal ad from 2008: But first we have to say so long to our outdated perceptions about coal. And so when you think about this in the context of vaccines, you can easily see where this is going. First and foremost, its important to remember youre talking to a family member, not a stranger or a coworker, and you have an existing bond with this person. According to the United Nations, the world has only until 2030 to cut carbon dioxide emissions down to roughly half those of 2010 levels to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the more. Below is a complete listing of the articles in "How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic," a series by Coby Beck containing responses to the most common skeptical arguments on global warming. And in other words, what are the best practices that you could share when engaging with someone who denies the existence of climate change, and how has your research informed the answer? You can also find this episode onApple Podcasts,Spotify,Google Podcasts, andother podcast platforms. How to make climate change deniers care about the planet: flatter them Betsch and Philipp Schmid, a doctoral student in her lab, decided to examine two strategies for counteracting the spread of misinformation in public debates: The first, called topic rebuttal . How to Talk about Hurricanes With Climate Change Deniers - Lifehacker There are many complex reasons why people decide not to accept the science of climate change. Weve all been there sitting at the dinner table or on a family phone call, when a family member mentions that climate change is all a hoax or disputes the science. The latest attack on the Green New Deal argues that Democrats want to wipe out cows and ban burgers. Rather than focus on understanding misinformation about climate change, it may be more useful to actually understand information about climate change. Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Then we need to motivate them to take action action that essentially requires changing every aspect of their lives. History has made fools of environmentalists who believed that people would change their behavior if they only knew how bad global warming could be. Bonus points if you attach a voice memo with your question. Krishna: Not necessarily just the advertising, but you can find posts on Facebook, on Twitter, on various kinds of social media that get amplified, but then the correction of that post doesnt get amplified. Lately, though, an explanation of flawed risk assessment has become popular that has the virtue of not dismissing half the population as ignorant, stupid, or biased by temperament. Video: Reeses Peanut Butter Cups? Andy Hallock: Hey listeners, this is Andy Hallock, producer and engineer at BU Today. The psychologist Adam Grant has a suggestion, though. This is the type of denial we are all familiar with: that the science of climate change is not settled. Krishna: I mean, its available everywhere, right? https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skeptic, https://stephenschneider.stanford.edu/Publications/PDF_Papers/Crichton2003.pdf, Lee McIntyre: How to Talk to a Science Denier. You get rid of fossil fuels too soon, too fast without balancing, you push billions back into poverty. The Global Temperature Isn't Rising. Will the Supreme Court End Affirmative Action? Its another fear tactic like how Covid was used. It was during school pick-up a few years ago that Lance Lawson first asked his father about his views on global warming. This air rises too, and before you know. This episode was engineered by Andy Hallock, produced by Dana Ferrante, and edited by Doug Most and Andrew Thurston. What is the social impact? Its a hoax.. Introduce the topic casually - and ask lots of questions Instead of starting off strong, mention climate change in a casual conversation about an entirely different topic or by talking about current events, like extreme weather or an upcoming election. And in the decades after, to mislead the public, fossil fuel companies have funded and carried out misinformation campaigns. Hayhoe vehemently advises against engaging with the "smokescreens" dismissives tend to offer as the reasons they couldn't possibly agree with or act on the issue of climate change. Beginning by asking questions and truly listening to the answers tells your family member that you respect them as an individual, even if you disagree with their position. We greatly appreciate your support. Give Them The Facts Why is bioengineering, the crossbreeding of biology with technology, scary, but nanotechnology, the manipulation of tiny particles that can change the fundamental properties of things, not scaryat least not so far? The majority of respondents in the YouGov study of 30,000 people in 28 economies acknowledge climate change is happening and that humanity is at least partly responsible. How to talk to someone who doesn't believe in climate change The audacious PR plot that spread climate change doubt, Don't let climate doom win, project tells worriers. 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