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“Don’t confuse me with facts”—how right wing populism affects trust in agencies advocating anthropogenic climate change as a reality

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  • Olve Krange

    (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA))

  • Bjørn P. Kaltenborn

    (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA))

  • Martin Hultman

    (Chalmers University of Technology)

Abstract

Everyday public denial of anthropogenically caused climate change (ACC) has complex antecedents and exists on both individual and institutional levels. Earlier research has linked ACC denial to opposition to formal science and elites, perceived threats to the industrialist capitalist order and existing system properties. Research also suggest that trust in public organizations is a key factor in determining support or opposition to climate change policies. In this paper, we explore the possibility that right wing populism and anti-elitist attitudes fuel both ACC denial and low trust in environmental institutions. We surveyed a representative sample of Norwegians (N = 3032) to measure ACC denial, how denial is linked to socio-demographic characteristics, trust in environmental institutions, attitudes toward elites and immigration, as well as environmental attitude orientations. Results show that lack of trust in environmental institutions is strongly associated with ACC denial, and furthermore that the degree of trust—or lack thereof—is partly a function of anti-elitist attitudes, opposition to migration and views of nature.

Suggested Citation

  • Olve Krange & Bjørn P. Kaltenborn & Martin Hultman, 2021. "“Don’t confuse me with facts”—how right wing populism affects trust in agencies advocating anthropogenic climate change as a reality," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:8:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-021-00930-7
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-021-00930-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kirsti M. Jylhä & Pontus Strimling & Jens Rydgren, 2020. "Climate Change Denial among Radical Right-Wing Supporters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-15, December.
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    7. Justine Lacey & Mark Howden & Christopher Cvitanovic & R. M. Colvin, 2018. "Understanding and managing trust at the climate science–policy interface," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 22-28, January.
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    2. Alexander A. Kaurov & Viktoria Cologna & Charlie Tyson & Naomi Oreskes, 2022. "Trends in American scientists’ political donations and implications for trust in science," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.

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