In the News: Climate Change and Like Minded People

Are you confused by the recent flurry of contradicting views on climate change? Do you sometimes wonder who is presenting the real facts, and if you are getting the real scoop? After the attention the world focused on Copenhagen, with little if any clear positive headway, it’s okay to scratch your head now and then. The facts, however, are still the facts. 98% of climate scientists around the world stand by their research, which tells us that humans are causing our climate to change. Last year, twelve respected independent National Academies of Science, representing Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and the USA issued a joint statement declaring global warming a human caused phenomenon, pleading for action at an international level to address, adapt and mitigate the effects of a changing climate and to educate the general public on what we all can do to address this huge challenge.

Yes, on the east coast we are “snowed in” again this week! But global warming bring with it “big storms” and large precipitation events. According to an editorial in this week’s Miami Herald: “….one of the outcomes of global warming predicted by scientists is more extremes in our weather. Bigger storms, longer and more widespread droughts, excessive precipitation in some places unaccustomed to much rain and so forth. Global warming isn’t just affecting our annual weather cycles but, albeit much more gradually, our overall climatic conditions.”

This week NPR ran a story by Christopher Joyce titled: “Belief in Climate Change Hinges on Worldview.” Social scientists are looking at how differences in interpretation of the facts on climate change have more to do with an individual’s outlook, values, and beliefs, rather than the facts. The article concludes with a discussion of the “messenger effect,” that some people may not listen to those they consider “hard-core environmentalists”, and that they will never be convinced by people they don’t relate to. The goal is to create “an environment that allows people to be open-minded.” It seems that individuals want to hear the facts from someone who they consider to be “more like them”. So all you Climate Mamas and Papas, when you meet a person who is skeptical of the facts of climate change, take a moment when you are with them at the soccer field, the PTO meeting or at work at the water cooler or on a coffee break, share with them what you know, and why it’s important for them to take action and recognize the seriousness of the challenges before us.

They might me more willing to and open to listen to you, then you think!