Climate Change Denial Books and Conservative Think Tanks: Exploring the Connection

    Authors

    R. E. Dunlap;P. J. Jacques

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Am. Behav. Sci.

    Keywords

    climate change denial; conservative movement; conservative think tanks; denial books; ENVIRONMENTAL SKEPTICISM; PUBLIC-OPINION; MOVEMENTS; MODERNITY; Psychology, Clinical; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary

    Abstract

    The conservative movement and especially its think tanks play a critical role in denying the reality and significance of anthropogenic global warming (AGW), especially by manufacturing uncertainty over climate science. Books denying AGW are a crucial means of attacking climate science and scientists, and we examine the links between conservative think tanks (CTTs) and 108 climate change denial books published through 2010. We find a strong link, albeit noticeably weaker for the growing number of self-published denial books. We also examine the national origins of the books and the academic backgrounds of their authors or editors, finding that with the help of American CTTs climate change denial has spread to several other nations and that an increasing portion of denial books are produced by individuals with no scientific training. It appears that at least 90% of denial books do not undergo peer review, allowing authors or editors to recycle scientifically unfounded claims that are then amplified by the conservative movement, media, and political elites.

    Journal Title

    American Behavioral Scientist

    Volume

    57

    Issue/Number

    6

    Publication Date

    1-1-2013

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    699

    Last Page

    731

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000323114700002

    ISSN

    0002-7642

    Share

    COinS