Climate change why people may be sceptical
Channel: Father Paddy Walsh
Date: 2021-07-02

Humans are wired to respond to immediate, personal threats. We have not evolved to deal with a slow-moving threat like climate change. We respond to four key triggers you can easily remember with the acronym PAIN.

Personal - We respond to threats from other people. Climate change doesn't have a face. There is no one person to blame.

Abrupt - We are sensitive to abrupt changes, like a fire starting in the kitchen. Climate change is happening too slowly to detect.

Immoral - We pay attention when we see something indecent or disgusting. Climate change does not excite these feelings.

Now - We respond to immediate threats, like someone trying to rob our home. For many people, it's not clear how climate change is impacting them right now. (See Marshall, 2014).