Research shows climate change conversation to shift dramatically
While the climate change debate is only expected to grow 3.6% in the next two years, the conversation on causes is expected to grow 260% and solutions 202%.
Most Americans engaging online about climate change are mired in the debate as to whether it exists. However, the focus of the conversation will shift dramatically in the next two years, according to new research from The Center for Food Integrity (CFI), Kansas City, Mo. In addition, there is no evidence consumers associate or link the consumption of animal protein to climate change.
Currently, 52.2 million people are engaged in the climate change conversation, with less than half of those focused on causes and solutions. However, CFI’s digital ethnography report, which uses a research tool that analyzes millions of conversations online in real time, shows that while the climate change debate is only expected to grow 3.6% in the next two years, the conversation on causes is expected to grow 260% and solutions 202%. The heated dialogue is now focused on “what’s next.”
“The findings aren’t surprising, given the rapidly growing interest in sustainability,” says Terry Fleck, executive director. “Those interested in causes and solutions want to bring about change by taking action on a personal level and being the change. They also fear making uninformed choices, want to protect the American way of life and look to science and innovation to provide solutions.”