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NEW story with @lesliehook:
@YouGov polled attitudes on climate change in 28 countries across the globe including US, India, China.
The data show American exceptionalism in rates of denial & scepticism, and other striking trends ft.com/content/e5374b…
Chart thread follows:
@YouGov polled attitudes on climate change in 28 countries across the globe including US, India, China.
The data show American exceptionalism in rates of denial & scepticism, and other striking trends ft.com/content/e5374b…
Chart thread follows:
1/ This chart packs in several key patterns:
- When people feel threatened by climate change, they’re willing to make sacrifices. When they don’t they’re less willing
- Problem: in wealthy & temperate Northern Europe and US, few feel threatened, so few accept making sacrifices
- When people feel threatened by climate change, they’re willing to make sacrifices. When they don’t they’re less willing
- Problem: in wealthy & temperate Northern Europe and US, few feel threatened, so few accept making sacrifices
2/ Sticking with that chart, we see signs of a conflict of interests.
Even though all continents show a link between threat and willingness to sacrifice, people in oil-exporting gulf states much less willing to countenance cuts in resource-use despite concerns over impacts of CC
Even though all continents show a link between threat and willingness to sacrifice, people in oil-exporting gulf states much less willing to countenance cuts in resource-use despite concerns over impacts of CC
3/ The data also show a very clear regional pattern in concern over climate change.
Almost every European or Western country is less worried about climate change than every Asian, Middle-Eastern or North African country surveyed.
There’s only one exception: Italy. Why is that?
Almost every European or Western country is less worried about climate change than every Asian, Middle-Eastern or North African country surveyed.
There’s only one exception: Italy. Why is that?
4/ Later, people are asked what impacts they think CC will have.
Italians say economic damage & mass-displacement (climate refugees).
In other words: issues the country has grappled with recently.
More evidence that what motivates climate concern is exposure to its impacts.
Italians say economic damage & mass-displacement (climate refugees).
In other words: issues the country has grappled with recently.
More evidence that what motivates climate concern is exposure to its impacts.
5/ Onto that American Exceptionalism™️:
15% of people in the US either deny humanity’s role in climate change, or deny that the climate is changing at all.
This is far higher than in any other country surveyed, and 5x fellow big-emitting countries China and India.
15% of people in the US either deny humanity’s role in climate change, or deny that the climate is changing at all.
This is far higher than in any other country surveyed, and 5x fellow big-emitting countries China and India.
6/ Most striking thing about US climate scepticism is the huge partisan divide.
26 point gap between 30% of Republicans who are climate sceptics, and 4% of Democrats.
No other country comes close. Republicans far more climate-sceptic than people who voted AfD, Le Pen or Leave.
26 point gap between 30% of Republicans who are climate sceptics, and 4% of Democrats.
No other country comes close. Republicans far more climate-sceptic than people who voted AfD, Le Pen or Leave.
7/ Indeed, there’s remarkable consensus on climate change in UK.
Climate sceptics = 6% of Leavers, 4% of Conservatives, 2% Labour, ~0 Lib Dem.
Brits of all stripes agree climate is changing & humans at least partly responsible.
Bravo UK climate scientists, media & politicians.
Climate sceptics = 6% of Leavers, 4% of Conservatives, 2% Labour, ~0 Lib Dem.
Brits of all stripes agree climate is changing & humans at least partly responsible.
Bravo UK climate scientists, media & politicians.
8/ Partisan divide in the US is a problem for getting widespread support and passing legislation, but the @YouGov survey also shows there’s a steep cohort gradient to scepticism in the US, i.e: things are shifting.
24% of Boomers are sceptics or deniers, vs just 5% of Gen Z.
24% of Boomers are sceptics or deniers, vs just 5% of Gen Z.
9/9 To sum up:
- Exposure to CC impacts generates concern, which increases willingness to make sacrifices
- Media is also a critical vector for the above (HT @leobarasi)
- Oil-rich states aren’t ready to give up their chief export
- US scepticism remains exceptional and partisan
- Exposure to CC impacts generates concern, which increases willingness to make sacrifices
- Media is also a critical vector for the above (HT @leobarasi)
- Oil-rich states aren’t ready to give up their chief export
- US scepticism remains exceptional and partisan
