People are more likely to trust climate scientists if they make energy efficient choices in their own lives.
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Of Climate Science and Hypocrisy

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A new study suggests that climate scientists are perceived as more trustworthy if they lead low-carbon lifestyles.

Top: People are more likely to trust climate scientists if they make energy efficient choices in their own lives. Visual: iStock.com

By The Editors
06.23.2016
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In an article by InsideClimate News reporter Lisa Song and cross-published here at Undark, we learn about new research suggesting that climate scientists need to practice what they preach. That is to say: They are considered more trustworthy by the general public if they are perceived to be leading low-carbon lifestyles themselves.

Whether or not that’s fair is an open question. “Personal responsibility plays a role,” Michael Mann, a climate scientist at Penn State University, said in a recent Facebook post, “but any real solution is going to require policy change at the highest level, including a price on carbon.”

What are your thoughts?

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