THE VERDICT ON THIS ASSUMPTION: False
It would seem obvious to many that if people care about something, they would take action. Therefore, the lack of mobilization, leadership and the overall inertia in addressing climate change-related threats would signal a lack of care or concern. This logic has led to a presumption among some in climate advocacy circles that people “just don’t care.”
But while we may be frustrated at times that more Americans are not taking action to address climate change, recent public opinion polls show that between 50- 60% of all Americans say they are worried about climate change 1 , including 15% who say they are very worried” 2 . Historically the percentage of Americans concerned with global warming has fluctuated from a low of 50% in 1997 to a high of 72% in 2000 3 , and in the past decade concern has become increasingly polarized along party lines. Data for 2014 indicated that concern is the highest among Democrats (81%), compared with Independents (37%) and Republicans (30%) 4 . Other historical trends indicate that the overall proportion of Americans who are “alarmed” about climate change has also been growing from 10% in 2010 to 16% in 2012 5 .
Frames Associated with This Assumption:
More recently, psychosocial researchers also suggest that it is only through conducting in-depth interviews with people that we can accurately ascertain the conflicts between levels of concern and the capacity to take action 1 .
While a large proportion of the public is clearly concerned about global warming, a much smaller proportion believes that the effects of global warming have already begun (54%) or that it will pose a serious threat to them in their lifetime (34%) 2 . The belief that global warming is more of a threat for the future and for other people has been identified as an important reason in explaining why a large proportion of people who are concerned are relatively passive when it comes to taking action.
Compared to most other parts of the world, people in the US are less likely to see climate change as a major threat to the country (only 40% do), even though 2/3 of Americans say there is solid evidence that the earth has been getting warmer over the last few decades (69%) 3 . In terms of public policy priorities, climate change has remained near the bottom of the list in the US, where only 28% of Americans and 38% of Democrats say that it is top priority for the president and Congress.
There are many complicated reasons why people who care deeply about these issues may not be taking action; many of them are covered in these Assumptions. More researchers are focusing on the emotional dimensions of climate change as central to how we respond and process the information 4 . It’s critical that we reexamine our own assumptions about whether people care, and instead focus on how we can help people to more effectively process and channel their respective concerns about our future and the impacts of climate change on all life. This means more listening, and less prescribing and persuading; and thinking about how we can support people most effectively.
- 1Randall 2009; Hollway and Jefferson 2006; Lertzman 2012
- 2Saad/Gallup 2013
- 3Pew Research 2013
- 4Moser 2012; Worthy 2013; Marshall 2014; Lertzman 2014
- A lack of engagement rarely reflects a lack of concern and more often reflects people’s tendencies to ‘protect themselves’ from what they fear or think they have little power to address.
- Beware that reacting to a person’s apparent lack of concern with fear-based appeals can cause the person to tune-out (see Assumption 7).
- A better understanding of how climate change makes people feel conflicted, confused or challenged can help us connect with them and support their ability to engage.
- The ‘affective’ dimensions of climate change – the feelings associated with the issue – can lead people to tune out. Balanced messaging can help, that is neither too distant and scary, nor too overly positive 10 .
