Scaring, guilting and/or shaming individuals is commonly perceived to be the most effective way to motivate them to engage in climate action here on Twitter. But as I explain here, such approaches backfire more often than they succeed.
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Prof. Katharine Hayhoe
@KHayhoe
Climate Scientist, Chief Scientist , Prof , Champion of the Earth , Climate Ambassador , Mom . Tweets 100% mine.
Prof. Katharine Hayhoe’s Tweets
Thread about my and my co-authors’ newly published paper in Political Behavior, wherein we report 4 sets of tests that demonstrate no partisan or ideological asymmetry in conspiracy theory beliefs or conspiratorial thinking —>
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I just published a new paper with my excellent colleagues @PoliPsyProf Christina Farhart, Adam Enders, Kyle Saunders, and @HDrochon. Are conservatives and Republicans more likely to believe conspiracy theories?
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Thirty years ago, US Democrats & Republicans were on the same page when it came to climate change. Within 15 years, it had become - and remains - the most politically polarized issue in the country. How? The result of deliberate and strategic investment in doubt to delay action.
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In 1993 a band of wealthy industrialists allied with a PR firm to battle against scientists. At stake was their wealth. Every climate denier on Twitter is their legacy. As is the rising temperature and the growing list of extinct species #climatechange #netzero #nomoretime
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"The impact of climate change can be very localized and its threat to vulnerable communities can be very different from place to place," says GPEA's Liu Junyan.
#ActOnClimate #Heatwave
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Susan Joy Hassol () & I place this observation in the context in a larger discussion of climate change impacts on extreme weather and how current models may not be fully capturing those impacts, in this commentary today in : thehill.com/opinion/energy
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We have had resonance conditions for a planetary wave with wave number 7 during the past week, with large wave amplitudes. Think meanders in the jetstream. This Leads to simultaneous heat waves in different areas of the Northern hemisphere. Graph shows tropospheric winds.
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Thirty years ago, a bold plan was cooked up to spread doubt about climate change. The little-known meeting - between America's biggest industrial players & a PR genius - forged a devastatingly successful strategy that endured for years, with lack of action
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Feeling hopeless due to the climate crisis? Each of our efforts matter. The more of us that realize that, the more we can do. Feelings of futility in the hearts of otherwise willing people is one of our biggest roadblocks. This newsletter can help. Please subscribe and share.
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For more, subscribe to my new (very short) newsletter! Every week it has one piece of good news, one piece of not so good news, and one thing you can do to make a difference. katharinehayhoe.com
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“Change happens when you start those conversations” #ClimateAction
Katherine Hayhoe is on Fresh Air | Live Radio | CBC Listen
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I was leafletting and talking to the public during an action with today. I want to thank and the folks at for showing the value of connecting with others and getting them talking about whats important to them, 1/2
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Extinction Rebellion have staged a 'die-in' in Glasgow city centre after the highest ever temperatures in the UK were recorded earlier this week.
glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-
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For more, subscribe to my new (very short) newsletter! Every week it has one piece of good news, one piece of not so good news, and one thing you can do to make a difference. katharinehayhoe.com
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ON NOW: Atmospheric scientist joins us to talk about how climate change is making heatwaves longer and stronger, and how to cope when it comes to eco-anxiety.
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That's why I fight so hard against personally guilt-based attempts to inspire climate action, because that's what's actually at the root of most denial. For more, read:
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The other day, I decided to conduct an experiment. I set a timer for 3 hours and counted how many times I was publicly shamed here on twitter during that time. The answer? 12. And since then I've counted dozens of examples of others being shamed, as well. (thread)
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But it's not only the US. In high-income (-> high personal carbon footprint -> high guilt) countries, conservative ideology makes people less likely to worry about climate change. In low income countries, it doesn't.
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Here's a list of the most politically polarized issues in the US from Pew Research - the wider the gray bar, the more polarized the issue.
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The excellent book and documentary, Merchants of Doubt, tells the story of how doubt and denial fought knowledge of the health impacts of tobacco, muddied the waters on fire retardants, and delayed climate action. Highly recommended!
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Thirty years ago, US Democrats & Republicans were on the same page when it came to climate change. Within 15 years, it had become - and remains - the most politically polarized issue in the country. How? The result of deliberate and strategic investment in doubt to delay action.
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In 1993 a band of wealthy industrialists allied with a PR firm to battle against scientists. At stake was their wealth. Every climate denier on Twitter is their legacy. As is the rising temperature and the growing list of extinct species #climatechange #netzero #nomoretime
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The House's passage of its mini-omnibus appropriations bill is a win for nature! We are grateful the chamber approved significant and necessary investments in clean energy, lands, waters, air and wildlife.
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Mr. Biden took useful but small-bore climate actions today, including opening up new areas in the Gulf of Mexico for wind leases.
The bigger test: will he declare a full-on climate emergency, and do things like *stop* oil and gas leases in the Gulf?
The next weeks will be crucial
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We must limit warming to 1.5°C to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
The difference between 1.5° and 2° or even 3° is staggering.
Every fraction of a degree matters. We have the solutions to narrow the gap so that people and nature can thrive: ow.ly/BYZs50IILrz
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8. They can even impact our transportation infrastructure, buckling pavement, melting roads and runways, and warping train lines. For example:
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7. They stress ecosystems and can even lead to massive die-offs, from shellfish to sea birds. Last year:
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A new study released today by reveals the promise of #cleanenergy and #climate provisions before Congress. Nationally, these investments would support nearly 676,000 jobs annually for 10 years. Congress must find a way to fulfill this promise.
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Tackling climate change is hard; but doing nothing will be catastrophic.
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Nearly 676,000 jobs for 10 years. About $6.2 billion in tax revenues. These are among the economic benefits from #cleanenergy and climate provisions before Congress.
But only if lawmakers act. Congress must find a way. nature.org/en-us/newsroom
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Australia on a lose-lose path. Ground zero for massive heat & fire due to global warming. Hitting nature that has lost resilience - to cope with shocks like climate extremes - due to biodiversity loss. A story of crisis and decline. High time to turn page
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Love this quote, thank you . Your wonderful book “Saving Us” is what we all need to read right now.
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Replying to @helenafricker and @Kate_Bradbury
Thank you Helen :-) and yes, that’s exactly what my book is about! it ends with this quote… simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Saving-U
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How does climate change affect heatwaves? A thread.
1 - As the planet warms, extreme heat now begins earlier in the year and stretches later. In the 1960s, the US heatwave season was about 25 days. By the 2010s, it was nearly 70 days. Source: epa.gov/climate-indica
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This came out an hour ago. They've already discovered 700 more victims, which means 1,700 heat deaths in Spain and Portugal, and counting. No numbers from the rest of Europe, yet.
The excess death toll will be much, much higher. Stay tuned.
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Freshwater biodiversity is declining rapidly on every continent and in every major river basin on Earth. That's why, at , we're expanding our freshwater science program. Join us! careers.nature.org/psp/tnccareers
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As , says, this unprecedented event WAS linked to climate change. We wouldn't have seen temperatures of 40C/104F in LONDON absent human-caused warming of the planet.
This is climate change folks. It will get much worse w/out rapid reductions in carbon emissions.
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24 all-time records in UK today, inc. the all-time UK record shattering 104.4 in London. This event is virtually impossible without a heated climate, supported by recent research at the @metoffice. London btw is further north than Calgary & any US city. GFX: CoolWx 24 hr loop
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For the first time ever, 40 Celsius has provisionally been exceeded in the UK 🌡️
Every noteworthy heatwave event that has occurred in Europe and the UK over the last 20 years has been made more likely and more intense as a result of #ClimateChange
#heatwave #heatwave2022
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For the first time ever, 40 Celsius has provisionally been exceeded in the UK
London Heathrow reported a temperature of 40.2°C at 12:50 today
Temperatures are still climbing in many places, so remember to stay #WeatherAware 
#heatwave #heatwave2022
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devastating extreme weather *can* be linked to climate change.
but how?
broke down the ground-breaking science for me
>>> youtu.be/5cY7fSbUWA8 <<<
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London becoming part of the wildland urban interface and facing wildfires is not something I had on my climate change horrors bingo card but here we are
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For I wrote about Seattle’s hottest day ever, not having air conditioning, why the soaring global temps have me heated, and what I’m reading to cope.
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"Why this European heat wave is so scary" by @JasonSamenow for / Gang:
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This short clip is a master class in how to communicate the risk of climate impacts and the urgency of climate action. Give it a listen!
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Here’s the Lord Turner clip. Every word, from a business and finance leader.
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Remember last year when Germany flooded and the response from western media was largely, "Wow. Climate Change has arrived". Please don't do that again with London. Climate change has been here... This isn't a warning, it's just the latest in a series of the main event.
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So excited to have our work in the showing how a majority of Americans want MORE climate acton from our gov nytimes.com/interactive/20
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Extreme heat in Europe. Here’s what you need to know ⬇️
-Historic temps set wildfires burning across several countries 🔥
-Heat waves are deadly. This one has already caused 1000+ deaths ⚠️
-These heat waves are part of a global pattern. The link between them? Climate change 🌎
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