We trust our family and friends more than science - The Age

I

t is odd and disconcerting that many people in this highly educated and sophisticated nation still hold tight to non-scientific theories about climate change, preferring to fashion their views on gut instincts or the misguided utterings of political heroes. Would we dare to appraise Einstein's theory of relativity by using these same dubious sources?

Yet a five-year study of Australians' attitudes, published by the CSIRO, indicates about one-fifth of the population still does not believe climate change is happening. And, of the 80 per cent that have accepted the overwhelming scientific evidence, it seems less than half believe climate change is due to the influence of humans on the environment. Of the respondents who said they did not believe climate change was happening, most nominated their friends and family as their trusted sources – not scientists or other experts.

Read the Editorial in today’s Melbourne Age - “Political climate failed our view of science.”