The Work Ahead On Climate Change

More people than ever are worried about climate change, but it won’t last; The relationship between weather and public opinion is complicated.

Jeremy Deaton, April 14, 2017 (ThinkProgress)

“…[A] record number of Americans are worried about global warming [according to a recent Gallup poll]…[but] over the last year, social scientists have] found that a stray heat wave or über-powerful storm can drive interest in climate change, but the effects vary — and they don’t last…This means that scientists and advocates can’t wait for the weather to change attitudes about the carbon crisis. They have to do the hard work of educating the public themselves…When the environmental movement flexes its muscle, it can move public opinion…This is where advocates should focus their attention: on well-defined battles where it is possible to shift public opinion. Environmentalists can’t assume Americans will come around as the mercury rises. They have to rouse the public and pressure politicians, just as fossil fuel interests have done for decades…” click here for more

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