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    The public feel ‘worried’, ‘sad’, and ‘no emotions’ about climate change
  • Sep '23
    Anger Monitor research: ‘constructive’ anger can motivate climate action
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    Climate Barometer Tracker 17th July 2024

    The public feel ‘worried’, ‘sad’, and ‘no emotions’ about climate change

    Climate Barometer survey data shows the range of emotions that the public feel about climate change. Worry (43%) and sadness (20%) are the most frequently felt emotions by the British public overall, with the next most frequently chosen option being ‘I feel no emotion about climate change’.

    There are differences in the emotions experienced by different types of voters. Those intending to vote Labour, Lib Dems and Greens felt mostly ‘worried’, ‘sad’, and ‘scared’. Whilst negative, these are active emotional reactions which wider research suggests are associated with engagement with climate change, and support for climate policy (although can also lead to a sense of fatalism).

    Those intending to vote Conservative were ‘worried’ as well, but the next most frequently chosen options were ‘hopeful’, ‘no emotions’ and ‘interested’. This somewhat more positive emotional register perhaps reflects greater faith in existing institutions (‘the establishment’) to address the challenge of climate change.

    The most frequently selected option for Reform UK voters was ‘I feel no emotions about climate change’. Whilst this certainly indicates a lack of positive engagement with climate change, it also echoes what wider polling has found about the lack of salience of climate change as an issue impacting Reform voters’ electoral choices. It is perhaps more accurate to characterise Reform voters as ‘not interested in’ rather than ‘opposed to’ net zero.

    Slightly different patterns can be seen among the seven British segments, where Progressive Activists are much more likely to report anger (30%), and Disengaged Battlers more likely to say they are scared (25%). Established Liberals are among the most hopeful (20%), and Disengaged Traditionalists are the most likely to say they feel no emotions about climate change (36%), followed by Backbone Conservatives (21%).

    From the Climate Community 23rd September 2023

    Anger Monitor research: ‘constructive’ anger can motivate climate action

    Anger is a powerful emotion. The Anger Monitor, a project of the Mind Works Lab, surveyed people in six countries (including the UK) and identified different types of anger in relation to climate change.

    ‘Toxic’ anger is difficult for climate activists to engage with, and is the type of anger that can be easily weaponised by extremists. But ‘constructive’ anger can motivate climate action, the Anger Monitor report argues, especially if activists harness the power of constructive anger through empowering campaign actions (these could include ‘feeling heard’ or taking actions to prepare for extreme weather conditions).

    Echoing previous research that has recommended combining the strong emotions elicited by climate impacts with tangible mitigation/energy saving actions, the Anger Monitor research advises leaning into the range of emotions that different types of climate content invoke. Anger and worry levels can be raised by worsening climate impacts, but a sense of qualified hope can be instilled from seeing others taking tangible action.

    • Source: Mindworks -
    • Date: 29th November 2023

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