UW Aquatic & Fishery Sciences Quantitative Seminar

Jim Anderson

University of Washington
Center for the Study of Demography and Ecology

What the behavior of fish and rats might tell us about human opinion on climate change

Abstract

Beliefs on the cause and importance of climate change differ greatly between liberals and conservatives and have not changed in over a decade, even though the understanding of the issue has increased in both groups. Part of the reason for these trends may stem from the neural mechanisms and genetics of decision making. Drawing on studies and models from neuroscience, psychology and ecology, I present a case for why climate opinions seemed fixed and what may be required to change them.