(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . On Climate, Republicans have a Propaganda Problem, but Democrats have an Education Problem too [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-10-26 This finding horrifies me, both the huge Republican denial and some Democratic weakness. Americans, in our naturally infallible brilliance, do not believe that Climate Scientists understand Climate Change very well, according to new Pew Research. 51% of Republicans say that climate scientists do not even know “whether or not climate change is occurring”. Even more Republicans doubt that climate scientists understand how climate change affects extreme weather or know “the causes of climate change”. 89% of Republicans doubt scientists understand ‘very well’ whether the climate is actually changing. No amount of educational achievement seems to help Republicans with their judgement about the scientists. Presumably, these folks have done their own research online and by watching Fox News, which gives them confidence to dispute professional scientists with advanced degrees, fancy computers, and “math”. Makes you wonder why they think the scientists chose careers studying something that obviously will never be understood, like what kind of dinosaur Jesus rode or why the moon doesn’t collide with the sun. But, my smug fellow liberal democrats, before we congratulate ourselves for scoring 41 points higher on this existential test for humanity, I would point out that our side isn’t exactly passing with flying colors. Most Democrats who did not go to college also doubt whether scientists know ‘very well’ whether climate change is real. Unfortunately, when we face the scientific certitude of mass catastrophe due to carbon pollution, one reason we’re failing to act is that math and science are hard. News articles describing Moana Loa Observatory measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide rising by 100 parts per million since 1958, Antarctic sea ice retreat, coral reef bleaching and semi-tropical storms forming in the North Atlantic in January, which all terrify nerds, just aren’t convincing enough to landscapers, truck drivers, beauticians and fitness instructors. Another frightening top line finding from the report is that the results have gotten notably worse since 2016, especially on the belief that climate scientists ‘understand the best ways to address climate change’. Almost ½ of Americans don’t think the scientists know what we should do about climate change, and only 13% think scientists know ‘very well’. Obviously, since the problem is too much carbon in the air, the solution is to burn less carbon. But too many proud, beer-drinking, sports-watching, fashionable Americans, in both parties, don’t seem to grasp that basic scientific fact, especially if it requires them to change their favorite gas-guzzler, stop taking flights on vacation or eat less meat. The poll findings above are a shameful embarrassment for a nation that claims to have over 99% literacy on a planet at imminent risk of mass extinction. Even if we win the next series of critical elections—and we must—, we still have to fight the denial propaganda damage done by Putin, fossil fuel magnates like the Kochs, and conservative media. And we must be able to convince the clear majority of Americans that the science is clear, the future is grim, and they have to personally take action to reduce carbon emissions. So, the nerds have to figure out a way to help the drop outs with their homework, even in our party. Some more leadership in enlightened media outlets like this one and by our political representatives would help us find the needed words to get the vast majority of Americans to understand this issue now. Unfortunately, we don’t have time to delay. No poll today, because there’s no question we need to improve. But feel free to leave positive suggestions for communication & election strategies. If you’re thinking of again calling me insufficiently ‘humble’, an ‘elitist’ or worse for having a postgrad degree and driving a $40,000 electric vehicle around the country, then I challenge you to provide suggestions on how to reach ordinary Americans instead. Thanks. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/10/26/2201745/-On-Climate-Republicans-have-a-Propaganda-Problem-but-Democrats-have-an-Education-Problem-too?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/