Distorted Views On Climate Change
Click here for reuse options!In the most important of several experiments, they presented a large number of participants, both Republicans and Democrats, with this description of the current science of climate change: “The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that there would be an increase of 3.2 degrees Fahrenheit in worldwide temperatures in the 21st century and that humans are responsible for global climate change patterns.” This statement was placed alongside a recommendation that the U.S. impose restrictive regulations to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. The researchers also presented a similar group of people with the same description of the science, but alongside a recommendation that the U.S. profit by leading the world in green technology.
In both instances, Campbell and Kay asked the participants whether they agreed with the IPCC. And in both, about 80 percent of Democrats did agree; the policy solutions made no difference.
Republicans, in contrast, were far more likely to agree with the IPCC when the proposed solution didn’t involve regulatory restrictions. Given the prospect of regulation, only 17 percent of Republicans agreed with the IPCC. Given the prospect of profit from green technology, however, 64 percent of Republicans agreed.
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Stuart Shapiro
Stuart is a professor and the Director of the Public Policy
program at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers
University. He teaches economics and cost-benefit analysis and studies
regulation in the United States at both the federal and state levels.
Prior to coming to Rutgers, Stuart worked for five years at the Office
of Management and Budget in Washington under Presidents Clinton and
George W. Bush.
12 responses to Distorted Views On Climate Change
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mea_mark December 10th, 2014 at 15:16
So in order to save the planet, so that humanity can continue to exist, we have to convince the republicans that it is profitable to do so? You would think survival of humanity would be enough, but no, they need to make a profit while saving themselves. Republicans sure have some messed up priorities.
mea_mark December 10th, 2014 at 16:16
So in order to save the planet, so that humanity can continue to exist, we have to convince the republicans that it is profitable to do so? You would think survival of humanity would be enough, but no, they need to make a profit while saving themselves. Republicans sure have some messed up priorities.
tiredoftea December 10th, 2014 at 15:32
So this simply proves what we know about the right. Their belief in acquiring wealth trumps all others.
tiredoftea December 10th, 2014 at 16:32
So this simply proves what we know about the right. Their belief in acquiring wealth trumps all others.
fahvel December 10th, 2014 at 17:06
save fetuses but screw tomorrow for what comes out – what a collection of crud.
fahvel December 10th, 2014 at 18:06
save fetuses but screw tomorrow for what comes out – what a collection of crud.
Dwendt44 December 10th, 2014 at 23:45
The world is coming to an end any day now so why bother with cleaning up the air, water, and carbon loading.
When you think like that, spending any money for the future isn’t worth it. Grandchildren be damned.
Dwendt44 December 11th, 2014 at 00:45
The world is coming to an end any day now so why bother with cleaning up the air, water, and carbon loading.
When you think like that, spending any money for the future isn’t worth it. Grandchildren be damned.
Bob Cronos December 11th, 2014 at 18:52
IPCC predictions? 0 for 4… But look who still believes them…
Bob Cronos December 11th, 2014 at 19:52
IPCC predictions? 0 for 4… But look who still believes them…
burqa December 20th, 2014 at 03:51
Climate change threatens tax cuts for the rich,……………………….. is that it?
burqa December 20th, 2014 at 04:51
Climate change threatens tax cuts for the rich,……………………….. is that it?