What motivates the biggest climate change deniers?
Asserting dominance over nature is a driving factor among climate denying conservatives, a new study has found . Researchers from Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Canberra in Australia identified two "types" of conservative people who place less importance on climate change and the environment - socially dominant and right-wing authoritarians. Surveying 22,966 people over five years, they found both types had "lower willingness to make sacrifices for the environment over time", but the socially dominant types were stronger climate change deniers. Socially dominant types were defined as those who want a structured hierarchy in society, while right-wing authoritarians were those with a preference to conform to authority figures and punish those who oppose. READ MORE: * Councillors say climate change projects key after calls to declare 'climate emergency' * Marlborough will not be rushing 'climate emergency' declaration * Climate change deniers thriving in Australia and US, survey finds * South Canterbury councils yet to sign climate change commitment * Dairy ramps up climate change agenda as Zero Carbon Act looms So what did they think about climate change? Put simply, they weren't fans of making changes. Despite the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change and its likely impacts, social dominants often viewed the whole issue as something that would never affect them - they thought they were "immune" to it. They thought that issues such as rising sea levels, that are already threatening various Pacific Island nations, weren't likely to directly affect them, so they weren't too worried about it. "While climate change is arguably the biggest environmental problem of our time, people tend to view themselves and those close to them as less vulnerable to its effects," the authors wrote. This endorsement and acceptance of social inequality connected to behaviours such as sexism and racism, the study said. Social dominants were also found to be accepting of environmental degradation, if it benefited high-status social groups. Because they wanted power over lower groups, be it other people or nature as a whole, this group was difficult to reach in terms of environmental education. The authors of the study said it would be important to stress that the social hierarchy isn't threatened by environmental action, in order to reach this group. Authoritarian types were also considered to be difficult to reach, as they tended to view the conversation surrounding climate change and the environment as "overstated". "[Right-wing authoritarian] was related to statements that conceptualise environmental issues as overstated, environmental action as detrimental to the country, and environmentalists as deserving of punishment." Researchers explained those who endorse this conservative view were "less likely to assume responsibility for acting on global warming, or intention to mitigate the problem". The focus on economic growth, even when it damaged the environment, was a common trait presented among those who identify with this type. The sample used to determine these results was found to be "highly generalisable" for the whole of New Zealand, the study said. Of the participants, 76 per cent were born in New Zealand. The study's authors said further research into the links between ideology and environmentalism is needed to understand participants' reasons for such attitudes.