Friday, August 26, 2011
Ignorance is even more blissful if you're sure you know
We at the institute want to draw attention to a notable victory in the battle for the hearts and minds of Americans.
A just-released Gallup poll finds that 96 percent of Americans believe that they know "something" or "a great deal" about global warming and climate change.
Contrast that 96 percent figure with the results of a Yale University study last year that found that 92 percent of Americans would receive a C, D or F on what they actually know about climate change. Fifty-two percent would flat-out fail.
For example, 55 percent don't know that carbon dioxide traps heat being radiated from the Earth's surface, 43 percent don't know what the greenhouse effect refers to, and 75 percent have never heard of ocean acidification or coral bleaching.
From a PR point of view, it's an accomplishment to convince people of your message--yet after all, that's what they get paid to do. But it's a work of art to do that and also make people think they really know what's going on.
Too bad there's no Oscar, Emmy or Nobel for the dedicated people who have pulled this off!
Nobel Medal Credit Chris Campbell/Creative Commons
High fives all around!
Labels: carbon dioxide, Gallup poll, Global warming, greenhouse effect, knowledge of climate change
