More evidence is coming out that Americans are split in their views about climate change on the basis of their political affiliations. Recent polls, nonetheless, show that more Americans recognize the reality and the consequences of climate change than in the near past. Despite this trend, climate-related opinions are only slowly being translated into political action or adoption of energy-efficient solutions.
Better clarity in the climate debate requires to identify the areas of controversy. First, is there climate warming? The evidence about the warming of the climate over a long period of time, especially following industrialization and more particularly over the last few decades, seems to be scientifically strong and broadly accepted, though, there are doubters. What causes this warming is a subject of a more intense controversy. Is it due to human action or is it a natural phenomenon? The answer to this question is important because if the cause is the former, then we can find ways to reverse it; but if it’s the latter then we can do nothing or very little. Currently the majority of climate scientists place the blame on human activity. Finally, the third controversy focuses on what it takes and whether we have the political will to dedicate resources to address climate disruptions.
Survey results reported in “Politics and Climate Warming” by Yale University in 2018 show that 73% of the Americans in the sample believe that climate warming is real with 95% of liberal Democrats siding with this view versus 68% of moderate Republicans and 40% of conservative Republicans. A majority of Americans (59%) also believe that climate warming is caused by human activity. Again, more Democrats believe this to be so (up to 84%) than moderate Republicans (58%) or conservative Republicans (26%). Finally, 63% of the respondents indicated they worry about climate change with more Democrats than Republicans expressing concern. Importantly, more Americans were concerned in 2018 than just the previous year 2017.
What the Yale survey reveals to be the most promising finding is that majorities of Democrats and Republicans support a variety of policies to address adverse climate developments. These policies include promoting renewable energy, tax rebates for those adopting energy-efficient solutions and products, and limits on carbon dioxide emissions and coal-fired power plants. The same majorities also would like to see the US stay in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Nonetheless, there is a cautionary note that emerges from the survey. When it comes to translating these views into political priorities and actions, actions fail to match opinions and the cause is political affiliation. Specifically, only a minority of Republicans view climate issues to be a high priority and even fewer of them are willing to put pressure on politicians. Even among Democrats, only 54% of them indicated that they translate climate views to political action. This then explains why despite the fact that a majority of Americans are concerned with climate change there is little action in Congress and government to address the problem. It also explains why energy-efficient solutions have not been widely adopted by Americans.
A similar divide in views about the climate between Democrats and Republicans were reported by Pew Research in 2016. That survey also shed light on another important question: how the public trusts scientists and scientific findings related to climate research. On the question whether scientists should be trusted on climate issues, only a majority of liberal Democrats responded affirmatively whereas 39% of all respondents (Democrats and Republicans) responded negatively! The interesting finding, though, is that outside climate research the American public believes scientists act in the public interest. The Pew Research findings also show that the public blames the media for misreporting on climate-related issues.
The influence of political views on climate issues is best demonstrated in a study published in Perspectives in Psychological Science in 2018. The researchers asked the participants to respond to questions about the climate first without linking a question to the position of either party (Republican or Democratic) and then by suggesting that a view was supported by one or the other party. In the second set of questions, participants were clearly inclined to set their personal opinions aside and adopt the party line.
For comparison purposes, I looked up surveys regarding European views on climate issues and I found that majorities of Europeans are aware of and concerned about climate change with higher majorities in Western than Eastern Europe. However, as in the US, action to adopt energy-efficient solutions are limited to a small minority.
The survey findings concerning Americans buttress the commonly observed phenomenon that once an issue becomes politicized rational and objective debate yields ground to party ideology and affiliation (the so-called tribalism). Since American parties are strongly influenced by the lobbying efforts of business interests that have financial stakes in the outcome of the climate debate, it is difficult to see how parties will lead the public in a reasoned and evidence-based dialogue about this and other issues. The thorniest problem will be apportioning the cost of addressing climate problems because it relates to the very political issue of income and wealth distribution. As the “Yellow Jackets” movement in France demonstrated the lower and middle classes are not willing to bear the cost if they believe it will disproportionately fall on them.
The lesson for those of us who believe climate warming and change are real and primarily caused by human action is clear: Move from opinion and belief to action. Put pressure on politicians and adopt habits that reduce energy waste that adversely affects climate sustainability. Start with the simplest of actions: “Don’t forget to turn off the lights!”
Let's Reason 