A new study by the University of Michigan sheds light on the deep polarization surrounding climate change in the United States.
The research, published in The Guardian, reveals that nearly 15% of Americans reject the reality of climate change.
Denialism Concentrated in Central and Southern States
The study employed artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze over 7.4 million tweets posted between 2017 and 2019. The tweets, originating from roughly 1.3 million users on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), were categorized as either supportive or dismissive of climate change.
The findings paint a concerning picture. “Over half of the tweets we looked at simply denied that climate change was real, that it was a hoax,” Joshua Newell, co-author of the study and professor of environment and sustainability at the University of Michigan told The Guardian.
He further emphasized the importance of public acceptance of climate science, acknowledging the disappointment associated with such a high level of denial.
The data suggests a geographical pattern, with denialism concentrated in the central and southern regions of the United States. This trend aligns with political affiliation, as Republican voters were found less likely to believe in established climate science.
Social Media and Political Figures Fueling Disbelief
Social media appears to play a significant role in perpetuating climate change denial. The study highlights the influence of prominent figures like Donald Trump. His tweets – particularly those surrounding the 2017 Texas cold snap and his dismissal of the 2018 IPCC report – resonated strongly with climate change deniers on the platform.
“Public figures such as Trump are highly influential,” Newell explained. “When they use these events to trigger disbelief in climate change among social media users, it has a significant impact.”
These findings align with previous research, such as a 2023 Yale University survey that estimated roughly 16% of Americans (approximately 49 million people) do not believe in climate change.
Pockets of Denial Persist Across The Political Spectrum
Acceptance of climate science is more prevalent on the East and West Coasts, mirroring the higher concentration of Democratic voters in those regions. However, the study acknowledges the existence of “clusters of denialism” even within blue states, citing Shasta County, California, where disbelief in climate change reaches as high as 52%.
Commenting on the research, Michael Mann, a climatologist and geophysicist at the University of Pennsylvania, noted, “It comports with my understanding that there is a small but very vocal and active minority of the public that still denies the overwhelming evidence of human-caused warming.”
Mann, who recently prevailed in a defamation lawsuit against conservative writers who attacked his climate research, emphasizes the importance of countering misinformation on social media. “We use [social media] not because we’re going to win them over,” he explains, “but because they are infecting the entire social media space with myths, falsehoods and toxic anti-scientific sentiment.”
The Role of AI and Social Media Platforms
The study’s use of AI demonstrates the potential of this technology for analyzing vast quantities of social media data. However, concerns regarding potential bias in AI algorithms, particularly in areas like facial recognition, highlight the need for human oversight in research design and data interpretation.
“It’s an intriguing new tool to use for these purposes,” said Mann, acknowledging the limitations of this evolving technology.
The responsibility to combat misinformation ultimately falls on social media platforms. Researchers advocate for stronger measures to address “knowledge vulnerability,” referencing the recent ban on Donald Trump’s X (formerly Twitter) account following the January 6th insurrection. “These very powerful social media companies should consider similar strategies for misinformation regarding climate change,” Newell concluded.
Source: The Guardian
