When it comes to emissions, deaths, and costs of natural disasters, Democrats are more likely to believe misinformation than Republicans and Independents
I read some study on deforestation that used machine learning to measure forest area from satellite photos instead of self reported data from some UN committee. Basically, forest area has increased since satellite photography has been available in the 80’s.
It reminded me of “Factfulness” whereby people assume the world is in worse shape than it really is. On climate, it would seem that this is even more true for Democrats than Republicans.
I’m not sure I think we should call any of these poll questions “misinformation.” That label would obscure the fact that the questions don’t have well known answers, and no major media outlet is printing the actual truth in this case. The headline is that democrats believe misinformation but the real story is that media outlets from CNN to MSNBC to The New York Times, to the Washington Post are all exaggerating the severity of the climate situation. The statements here are actually commonly held misconceptions, just like the idea that Earth’s gravity is equally strong at all points on its surface. No media outlet is questioning the assertion because only physicists really care about the minute differences in the value of gravitational force. Further, to say republicans disagree with those statements in larger numbers doesn’t draw a distinction between climate change deniers and those who may be aware of the nuances of the situation. It sounds like the real issue here is with media and not especially gullible democrats.
I read some study on deforestation that used machine learning to measure forest area from satellite photos instead of self reported data from some UN committee. Basically, forest area has increased since satellite photography has been available in the 80’s.
Really great survey. The results are interesting.
It reminded me of “Factfulness” whereby people assume the world is in worse shape than it really is. On climate, it would seem that this is even more true for Democrats than Republicans.
I’m not sure I think we should call any of these poll questions “misinformation.” That label would obscure the fact that the questions don’t have well known answers, and no major media outlet is printing the actual truth in this case. The headline is that democrats believe misinformation but the real story is that media outlets from CNN to MSNBC to The New York Times, to the Washington Post are all exaggerating the severity of the climate situation. The statements here are actually commonly held misconceptions, just like the idea that Earth’s gravity is equally strong at all points on its surface. No media outlet is questioning the assertion because only physicists really care about the minute differences in the value of gravitational force. Further, to say republicans disagree with those statements in larger numbers doesn’t draw a distinction between climate change deniers and those who may be aware of the nuances of the situation. It sounds like the real issue here is with media and not especially gullible democrats.