A Case of Climate Change Fatigue, By James Reed
One can take only so much emotional bashing before fatigue sets upon one. That seems to have occurred with the climate change mania. As reported by Jo Nova, the case in point is Ireland, where a survey found that over half the respondents did not believe that climate change is a threat. In fact, people in rural areas believed that it was climate change policies which were a threat to their lives, such as with the restriction, or elimination of farming. People in the survey had no intention of eliminating meat from their diets, or talking up the call, made by organisations such as the World Economic Forum, to eat bugs; 54 percent of people said they have no intention to be vegetarian, and when asked about being vegan, 73 percent said "No".
People feel that they are already doing enough to help the climate, through catching busses and recycling, and indeed they are. Too much, in fact, for a mythology.
"Yet another survey shows most people know what to say when asked banal questions of climate dogma — "Yes they are "very worried". But more than half the population don't believe climate change is going to harm them and they have "no intention" of giving up meat, or their cars or their pets. And for people who only fly once a year, the idea of flying less was very unappealing. Worse, the under 35s like taking a series of flights each year is so normal now it's "part of their identity".
After years of this tedious preachy non-debate the report authors even had to acknowledge that "virtue signaling" was a thing, and it was turning off middle and lower class people. Rather than being seen as heroes, those who did a lot to prevent climate change were seen as boring and earnest, and either miserable martyrs or people who are "intentionally vocal" about their actions, partly as a way to show off. The working poor didn't like being talked down to, and it reinforced the idea that "climate action" was something for people who could afford it. It's a rich girls game…
POST NOTE: This survey is not as stupid as most of their surveys. Usually they just ask how worried people are. This survey gives us (and them) an idea of just how superficial that "worry" is. Apparently the world is going to end, but 6 out of 10 people are not going to give up their cars, their favorite food or their pets. That means they are not that worried. More than half don't believe it's harming them. It doesn't get more basic than this. Four thousand experts have told the people for 30 years that climate change is their fault and a catastrophe — and more than half the audience doesn't think the experts are right.
Their team is swimming in so much grant money they accidentally did a survey showing 60% of the population don't believe them.
Climate change: People do not want to take actions amid belief Ireland not being harmed, survey finds
By Sorcha Pollak, The Irish Times
A study on Irish attitudes toward climate change has found more than half of respondents did not believe it is harming people in Ireland, and that a significant gap exists between people's climate-related intentions and actions.
Older homeowners, particularly those in rural locations, often believe their way of life is "under threat" as a result of climate initiatives and the report recommends the impact of this change on the "identity of people" be further considered.
The report found many people, males in particular, had no intention of reducing their meat consumption and following a diet seen as more climate friendly.
It's biology: 54% of people said they have no intention to be vegetarian, and when asked about being vegan, 73% said "No".
People think they're already taking enough climate action (like recycling and catching more buses) while the report writers said this was a misunderstanding and people actually needed to "do a lot more".
Indeed, nearly 60% of the population says they are already walking and cycling more frequently instead of driving and they're flying less too. Yet there are obviously just as many cars on the road and planes in the sky as ever before, proving researchers need to ask better questions.
If I catch a bus one time this year that's more frequent than last year, right?
Likewise, are 82% of people really choosing foods with less packaging?
The report authors admit that the unwashed masses are not buying the "fly less" message while celebrities and politicians were flying more:
Across the workshops, individuals didn't routinely make the connection between the numerous holidays they had booked abroad and the damage to the climate. Numerous arguments were made to justify this travel which point to challenges in communicating the benefits of flying less. Arguments included the fact that the flights were departing whether they were on-board or not and that their impact was minimal when compared with people in the public eye travelling on private jets. These responses point to a sensitivity to people in the public eye (particularly international celebrities) continually flying in private jets frequently whilst the broader population is being asked to not take a holiday and city break abroad.
And finally, there is the realization that "virtue signaling" is its own liability:
They are perceived to be potentially quite boring and earnest as they sacrifice activities such as foreign travel to align with their values. At an extreme, they are viewed as miserable martyrs. They are intentionally vocal about their actions. It was believed that this was intended as an attempt to promote positive actions in others but also to demonstrate their virtuous behaviour. Unfortunately, this active promotion to others less well-placed to act risked being viewed as an attempt to talk down to others, further reinforcing the view of climate action being for those who can afford it.
The full report:
Department of Environment surveyed 4,000 people across the country, for the "Climate Conversation 2023" report."
In Ireland we're not to burn peat,
For the climate and we're not to eat meat,
Nor travel too far,
In a petrol run car,
Explains why more greens lose a seat.
-Ruairi
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