How the science of persuasion could change the politics of climate change; Conservatives have to make the case to conservatives, and a growing number of them are.

James Temple, April 16, 2018 (MIT Technology Review)

“…While much of the research and debate today focuses on figuring out the right mix of clean energy sources, or on developing better and cheaper technologies, the real breakthrough that’s required might lie in the science of persuasion. We’ll never generate enough clean energy to dramatically cut emissions in the next few decades—while abandoning fossil-fuel plants that still work perfectly well—as long as so many political leaders adamantly deny even the existence of anthropogenic climate change…[T]he academic literature offers insights on what drives such shifts in political sentiment…Lesson one: Pick the right targets…[T]he goal should be to change the minds of the elites…Lesson 2: Depoliticize the issue…[C]raft fact-based arguments designed to appeal specifically to their political interests, and present policies they can rationalize within their ideologies…Lesson 3: Pick the right policies…Lesson 4: Find areas of common ground…” click here for more

click to enlarge

Tweet