Why People Don't Believe In Climate Science

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Scientists overwhelmingly agree that our climate is changing, Earth is getting warmer, sea levels are rising, and it's primarily because of humans putting lots of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Yet 4 in 10 Americans aren't convinced. Here's what psychologists and sociologists have to say about why some people don't believe in climate science.

RECOMMENDED READING/SOURCES:

Want to learn about the science of climate change and why humans are causing it, but in layman's terms? I recommend these books:

Produced for PBS Digital Studios

Joe Hanson - Creator/Host/Writer
Joe Nicolosi - Director
Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen Inc
Kate Eads - Associate Producer
Andrew Matthews - Editing/Motion Graphics
Katie Graham - Director of Photography
John Knudsen - Gaffer
Dalton Allen - Post-Production Intern

Theme music:
"Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod

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[SawtoothWaves]

How the heck did climate science even become a political issue?

[elekkr]

"The future is uncertain and the end is always near" -The Doors

[aryanchaudhary]

The problem is that every one tells everybody what to do but nobody does anything. And those who do something good are not acknowledged because we all are too busy seeing cat videos. Our existence now poses a threat to our existence.

[TheDeqiro]

Climate change isn't meant for people to agree or disagree, its not suppose to be opinionated, its complete facts. I know a lot of Republicans say its a myth and that's a huge problem because they see science as a Liberal idea which is pathetic. Its a reason I hate anything to do with politics. To me, saying climate change doesn't exist is the same as saying trees don't produce oxygen. I can see if someone didn't believe it when we had no proof but now we have so much evidence on it that you're just a bigot if you still disagree. I don't see how its a controversial issue. If you're offended by this then I'm glad you are.

[davidarmstrong]

That wasn't about why people don't believe in climate science, it was about why people don't respond to threatening messages about climate change they hear in media.

[mikelazzara]

All of the catastrophic predictions have failed.This casts a little doubt on the human extinction narrative.

[roarkegriffon]

How about giving people a list of things that they CAN do to help reduce climate change? I've switched lightbulbs to low wattage LED bulbs, recycle as much as I can, and am planting more trees where I live. But what else can I do? I've reduced water and power usage as much as I can, only drive when I must, and yet it seems never to be enough.

[yogurtfluff]

OMG, most of my family are climate change deniers and it is so frustrating.

[iambiggus]

I really love the "Why were there were fewer storms last year??", or "Why did it snow so much in my backyard last year??" arguments going on around here. It's like saying that my brother isn't a bully because he *wasn't* an asshole last Tuesday. Ad hoc your way through this all you want, the big picture is still gonna be there.

[ELEKTROSKANSEN]

I can understand people being unsure about human influence on climate change, but to deny it even exists is beyond me. I'm 40, when I was a kid we had winters that lasted for 4 months, with snow being permanently everywhere, usually at least 20-30 centimeters of snow. Nowdays it barely snows, the winter lasts for like 2 months tops, we get maybe 20 days of snow on the ground, usually around 3-5 centimeters. How can anyone deny that the climate changed over the years is beyond me.

[Vallarok]

I wholeheartedly believe humanity is the only species in the universe dumb enough to politicize intelligence.

[FGj-xjrd]

It has been politicised to death.
Also, the way that quite a few people speak about Global Warming comes across as fearmongering. Thats doesn't help either.

[SohamBhattacharya]

The worst thing is that USA, the country that is the worst perpetrator of climate change is the most vocal when it comes to denying it.

[codecmaker]

Climate change was real and it is now happening in our country Phiilipines every year the heat index rises during 2019 we only recorded 32-38 heat index the higher one is 39 and 2020 it remain 38-40 and this 2021 it risen up to 41-52 degree celcuis mosly American and many more country didn't believe it because they didn't experience it but I am personally experience I almost get dehydrated every minute because of higher temperature

[leehitt]

This video really highlights social psychology and the mindset of those in power. "If the media can be easily scare the public at large into believing we are threatened by a 1% chance of a terrorist attack so they will give up numerous rights and personal liberties, why can't we achieve that level of fear and control where climate change is concerned?"

[IOS]

Now we have a president who doesn't believe in climate change. 🙃

[tai]

From the front, his hair looks like someone took Nutella and spread it across his head

[awesomemantroll]

I don't care to write my paper until it's due tomorrow, duh.

[martinsloan]

One of the most dramatic signs of climate change is rising sea levels. However, none of the beaches I went to as a child in the seventies are any different today. It makes me wonder if evidence of climate change is based on localised and maybe even temporary conditions that we can do nothing about.

[thebeardedgrower]

It's interesting how we think of humans as being pretty intelligent but when we are possibly looking at our own extinction we argue and do nothing about it.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could do something about it first and then argue who's to blame once we fix the problems at hand.
Crazy concept right?