Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, yet we don’t all view it the same way. Some of us see it as an urgent crisis demanding immediate action, while others dismiss it or avoid thinking about it altogether. Why do these differences exist? And what can we do to bridge the gap?
Our recent study explored these questions by looking at how our personal characteristics—political views, education, personality traits, and optimism—shape our attitudes toward global warming. The findings offer valuable insights for anyone working to build support for climate action.
Political Identity: The Strongest Predictor of Climate Concern
The biggest factor influencing whether we take climate change seriously is our political orientation. Those of us with conservative or right-leaning views are far less likely to see global warming as a serious issue compared to those with liberal or left-leaning views. This political divide has become deeply entrenched, especially in countries like the United States.
Why Conservatives Often Resist Climate Messaging
Our research suggests that a motivated desire to reduce uncertainty and avoid fear of threats underpins much of this skepticism. Right-leaning worldviews often prioritize stability, security, and predictability. Climate change represents uncertainty and risk—it threatens the status quo and introduces complex, uncontrollable outcomes. For many conservatives, acknowledging these threats can feel destabilizing, so skepticism becomes a psychological shield against fear.
Education Helps—but Politics Still Dominates
Education plays a role too. People with university degrees are generally more likely to acknowledge the seriousness of global warming. Exposure to scientific information and critical thinking skills likely helps. But here’s the catch: even highly educated conservatives tend to be less concerned than less educated liberals. Political identity often outweighs knowledge.
Personality Traits and Climate Engagement
Our personality traits also matter. Those of us who are highly competitive—who see life as a constant contest—are less likely to take global warming seriously. In contrast, curiosity and comfort with uncertainty are linked to greater concern. These traits may make us more open to complex scientific issues.
Optimism: A Powerful Tool for Reducing Fear
Optimism adds another layer—and here’s where things get interesting. Optimistic people are more likely to engage with climate issues, perhaps because they believe solutions are possible. For conservatives, optimism is especially powerful. When we feel hopeful, the fear of threats diminishes. Optimism reframes climate change from an uncontrollable catastrophe into a solvable challenge. This reduces the psychological need to deny or avoid the issue, making engagement more likely.
Why Fear-Based Messaging Can Backfire
Fear-based messaging—emphasizing catastrophic consequences—can motivate some of us, but it risks alienating others, especially those who are skeptical or pessimistic. For these audiences, messages that highlight hope, progress, and achievable solutions may be far more effective.
Instead of saying, “We’re doomed unless we act now,” we could say, “We have the tools to solve this problem, and here’s how we’re making progress.” Optimistic framing can reduce defensiveness and encourage constructive engagement across political divides.
Bottom Line: Hope Drives Action
If we want more people to take climate change seriously, we need to go beyond presenting scientific evidence. By acknowledging what influences our beliefs—and by framing climate action as hopeful and achievable—we can build broader support for the changes needed to protect our planet.
✅ Join the Conversation
What do you think? Does optimistic messaging help? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media using the hashtags below!
Fenton-O’Creevy, M., and A. Furnham. 2025. “ Who’s Interested in Global Warming?.” Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 66, no. 6: 969–977. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.70007
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Emotional Finance 