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SCIENCE-CLIMATE DENIAL GAP EXPLAINED
WPR News - Science-climate denial gap explained
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Tuesday April 24, 2012
by Chuck Quirmbach
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(MADISON) Scientists who say there's strong evidence of human-triggered climate change often spark criticism from groups that deny any problem, or fight over how to reduce it. One analyst says the scientists may have to alter how they deliver their message.
Some recent polls show most people agree that the climate is changing and that human activity is causing the change. But there's less consensus on whether government should do anything about it, or if solutions should be left to individuals or the private sector. University of Michigan political scientist Arthur Lupia says when it comes to getting most people to agree on solutions, scientists and advocacy groups need to do a better job of showing how climate change speaks to the public's hopes or fears.
Lupia says if climate scientists speak to conservative churches or business groups, they have to understand the groups' core values, be it a stewardship of creation or a balance sheet. Steve Ackerman is a professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the UW-Madison. He says the scientific community already does some outreach to churches and business groups.
Ackerman says he also points out that even the U.S. Navy is looking at how to respond to sea level change. Ackerman and Lupia spoke Monday (4/23) at a UW-Madison conference titled, science writing in the age of denial.
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