More women than men accept the scientific consensus on climate change, new research finds

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By Dina Fine Maron and Climatewire

Belief in global warming appears to be fractured along gender lines, with more women than men accepting the scientific consensus on climate change, new research finds.

An analysis of eight years of data from Gallup's annual environmental poll found that greater numbers of women tend to believe the body of science on climate change and be concerned about how warming will affect the planet.

The study is the first to home in on the gender divide in climate change belief, according to author Aaron McCright, a sociologist at Michigan State University. His findings indicate that more women than men believe that global warming is happening now (59 percent to 54 percent) and that the warming is primarily caused by human activities (64 percent to 56 percent).

A greater percentage of women also reported that they believe global warming will threaten their way of life during their lifetime -- 37 percent to 28 percent.

Ed Maibach, director of George Mason University's Center of Excellence in Climate Change Communication Research, said that researchers likely haven't delved into these questions in the past because the gender gap wasn't "overwhelmingly large," so they focused instead on other factors -- like the split in climate change beliefs on political lines.

In light of the Michigan study findings, however, Maibach plans to give gender a second look.

"I will start paying more attention to gender differences in my research," he said.

More women among 'alarmed' and 'concerned'

Some of McCright's findings were consistent with those Maibach had unearthed in his own "Global Warming's Six Americas" polling work, which classifies the spectrum of concern and engagement on climate change issues into six camps ranging from "Alarmed" to "Dismissive."

In general, the two groups of Americans who are most likely to accept that global warming is happening now, and to understand that it is primarily caused by human activities -- called the "Alarmed" and the "Concerned" -- are composed of more women than men, he said. Meanwhile, men are more likely to be in the two groups least likely to accept that global warming is happening now and to believe that it is primarily caused by human activities.

Understanding how men and women view climate change could provide a window into how men and women incorporate such concerns into their daily lives and decisionmaking, according to McCright.

"Do they vote for different political candidates? Do they talk to their children differently about global warming?" McCright asked. What about how likely men or women may be to buy energy-efficient appliances and hybrid vehicles? he said.

Answers to these questions are few and far between. Although McCright didn't discuss it in his study, in at least the 2000 Gallup poll -- which probed on behavioral questions -- women were more likely than men to avoid products that harm the environment, try to use less water and reduce household energy use, he said.

Sex-linked, but still mysterious

Ultimately, McCright hopes to explore how climate beliefs are translated into action in future research. He also hopes to study if similar gendered climate change beliefs exist beyond U.S. borders.

"Of course, we know that how people think and what they believe are sometimes related to their behavior, but sometimes not," he said.

He found that the differences in what men and women believe on climate change could not be explained away by their societal roles; they were consistent regardless of whether the respondent was a homemaker, employed full-time or a parent, he found.

more....

[^_^ 5,021]

The climate change debate is today taking place in the political arena. The scientists are at near-consensus on the issue.

That being the case, why did you post this here and not in Politics and Religion where it belongs?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The climate change debate is today taking place in the political arena. The scientists are at near-consensus on the issue.

That being the case, why did you post this here and not in Politics and Religion where it belongs?

This is science. Are you suggesting we create yet another forum just for science related topics?

[^_^ 5,021]

science? no it's not.

a conversation on why women believe this more than men is all about politics.

after all, politics is the study of groups of people.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

science? no it's not.

a conversation on why women believe this more than men is all about politics.

after all, politics is the study of groups of people.

[^_^ 5,021]

Politics is the process and method of decision-making for groups of human beings. Although it is generally applied to governments, politics is also observed in all human group interactions including corporate, academic, and religious.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Men have been lying to women forever.

Or, it is the other way around?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Politics is the process and method of decision-making for groups of human beings. Although it is generally applied to governments, politics is also observed in all human group interactions including corporate, academic, and religious.

And so? How does that relate to a study on the gender differences with accepting the scientific consensus on climate change? Key word here - 'study.'

[slim 1,528]

Doesn't surprise me. Women watch Real Housewives and Keeping up with the Kardashians and think it's real life. They're also the reason we have shows like The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars.

They'll believe anything as long as it's shiny and repeated enough.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Men are smarter than women. This is proof.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Doesn't surprise me. Women watch Real Housewives and Keeping up with the Kardashians and think it's real life. They're also the reason we have shows like The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars.

They'll believe anything as long as it's shiny and repeated enough.

My woman doesnt. I guess all those polar bear pictures had an impact.

Edited September 17, 2010 by Col. Lingus

[mawilson 2,133]

Women are more gullible.

[slim 1,528]

Women are more gullible.

I convinced one to marry me. That's proof enough right there!