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Politicians Underestimate Public's Climate Action Support
5 Jan
Summary
- Politicians wrongly believe public opposes green policies.
- Misperceptions lead to less support and fewer votes for climate action.
- Rightwing bias and disinformation contribute to skewed views.
Research involving UK and Belgian politicians indicates a widespread underestimation of public backing for climate action. Politicians surveyed consistently believed public support for policies such as solar subsidies, energy efficiency grants, and meat taxes was lower than actual polling data. For instance, UK MPs underestimated support for frequent flyer taxes by approximately 15% and for red meat/dairy taxes by 18%.
This misjudgment has tangible consequences, as politicians who perceive insufficient public support are less likely to champion or vote for green policies. One former UK MP noted that objections from minority voices often overshadowed a potential 'silent majority' in favor of environmental measures. Academic Lisa-Maria Tanase suggests a rightwing bias and privileged voices may overrepresent opposition, further distorting perceptions.
While informing politicians about true public support improved their estimates, it did not entirely correct the underestimation, highlighting the persistent influence of misleading information. Experts suggest that making the public aware of their strong collective support, currently estimated at 89% globally, could trigger a social tipping point and drive necessary climate action.
