Climate Privilege: Defensive disbelief in climate change science

Abstract

Two studies investigated climate privilege--an idea derived from existing research on racial and economic privilege. U.S. citizens consume a larger than average amount of fossil fuels that contribute to climate change. Furthermore, poorer countries feel more of an impact from the negative consequences that result from climate change than rich countries like the U.S. In the current research, we presented information to three groups of U.S. college students (Study 1) and on-line workers (Study 2). The Climate Change group received basic information about the negative consequences of climate change (with no focus on the U.S.). The Climate Privilege group received information focusing on U.S. citizens' disproportionate contribution to climate change. The control group received no information about climate change. Participants then completed questionnaires assessing their opinions about climate change. Republicans and Independents (but not Democrats) in Study 1 reported less climate-friendly opinions in the Climate Privilege group compared to the Climate Change group, and conservatives (but not liberals) in Study 2 reported less climate-friendly opinions in the Climate Privilege group compared to the control group. This study links prior research on socioeconomic privilege to the climate crisis and helps explain why widespread reduction of fossil fuel usage is difficult.