This chart is adopted from a survey, conducted by George Mason University's Center for Climate Change Communication. It reveals that Americans are concerned about global warming in the abstract.
The further we get out from the individual, the more impactful people think climate change will tend to be.
These beliefs are not necessarily irrational - climate change probably will have more impact on the developing world than the developed one, and it almost certainly will have more impact on our children than it does on ourselves.
Conclusion? Climate change advocates need to find ways to personalise the terms of the debate.
The majority of the British public is still not convinced that climate change is caused by humans - and many others believe scientists are exaggerating the problem, according to an exclusive poll for The Observer.
HT: FiveThirtyEight
Friday, May 15
Climate change in the abstract
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Interesting find, Mr C.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this true of even the most enlightened person though? The idea of harm on a global scale is much more impactful than the fact that it might affect little old me.
But yes, unless everyone takes personal responsibility, change will come too slowly (if it isn't already too late).