Is it socially acceptable to challenge climate denial? | Adam Corner
by Adam Corner from on (#2HPSV)
A new study found people were less likely to want to become friends with those who confronted climate sceptics. How can we overcome these attitudes?
When does a social attitude become morally unacceptable enough that it is OK to challenge and confront it?
That is the question that motivated a new study conducted at the University of Exeter in which participants were given descriptions of people being confronted after expressing certain views. When the views expressed a disregard for racial equality, the confrontations were approved of. But challenging - even politely - a disregard for climate change was seen as carrying a social cost by the students taking part in the experiment.