How Culture Shapes the Climate Change Debate

by Andrew J. Hoffman

Though the scientific community largely agrees that climate change is underway, debates about this issue remain fiercely polarized. These conversations have become a rhetorical contest, one where opposing sides try to achieve victory through playing on fear, distrust, and intolerance. At its heart, this split no longer concerns carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases, or climate modeling; rather, it is the product of contrasting, deeply entrenched worldviews. This brief examines what causes people to reject or accept the scientific consensus on climate change. Synthesizing evidence from sociology, psychology, and political science, Andrew J. Hoffman lays bare the opposing cultural lenses through which science is interpreted. He then extracts lessons from major cultural shifts in the past to engender a better understanding of the problem and motivate the public to take action. How Culture Shapes the Climate Change Debate makes a powerful case for a more scientifically literate public, a more socially engaged scientific community, and a more thoughtful mode of public discourse.

Genres: Nonfiction, Climate Change, Environment, Science, Politics, Read For School, Sociology

122 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 11, 2015

Reviews

[Jim Rossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really concise - under 100 pages, not including end matter - and informative book about the social values that lie behind the climate change debate. I hope that it help cools down the polarizing dogma and rhetoric on all sides. Hoffman has a bit more "faith" in the integrity of imperfect scientific institutions than I do, and he also doesn't fully convey that it's no longer Climate Change vs. Big Business; climate change IS big business: $24 billion/year just in government-funded research, meted out to researchers and PhD students in an unsustainable, brutal job market, whose career prospects depend upon getting that grant money. But overall, a very fine short study.

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have the patience, read it!

[Eleanor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book may have been interesting in 2015 when it was written, but in 2026 the whole thing was SO “well duh!” which I know isn’t its fault necessarily, I’m just annoyed I had to read it. I have no clue why my profs assigned a 10+ year old book on this topic; since both climate change and polarization have gotten a ton worse in that time, I didn’t really get useful/relevant information from it because it felt so outdated, especially as it’s completely before MAGA America. It also loses a star for forcing me to endure two days of the most painful class discussions ever… did you all know that people have different perspectives and sometimes you don’t understand why people believe what they believe and it’s frustrating?!?!? 😐

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book doesn't have that much crucial information in it. It reminds you that many people don't believe climate change is real, that the GOP has promoted this lack of belief, and argues that haranguing people or trying to "beat" them in arguments doesn't change their minds. That's all fine, but not big news. One of the things the author argues is that people need to trust the sources that are used in order to be persuaded, and for this reason, he suggests citing conservatives who believe climate science is real if you are trying to argue with conservatives. I guess this general point about trustworthy sources is true, because when the author concluded a chapter on this very point with a long quotation from Richard Nixon on leadership, I decided the author was not very politically astute. He later makes arguments about abolitionism (too radical! turned off Lincoln!) that also don't indicate a wealth of historical knowledge or understanding of how social movements create change.

[Thomas Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you avoid talking about climate change? This has become a polarizing topic, and some of us avoid raising it to avoid debate, offending others, or from coming off like Al Gore. Other people I know don't talk about it because they have serious questions, or legitimate concerns about proposed solutions. This is too bad, as we all could benefit from discussing this important topic. This book helps put the climate change controversy into both a social science and historical context. Importantly, it gives helpful hints about how to talk about the issue in a constructive way. Of course, listening always helps, and the book helps you to understand others perspective on the issue. I have met the author, Andy Hoffman, and he brings a smart sensibility and lots of experience to this issue. The book is accessible, well-written, not overly academic, and a quick/short read. I recommend it to anyone with an interest in the issue.

[M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally done with the smith reads book! I can't wait to discuss it more with others, but overall I enjoyed it.

[Philippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic examination about how climate change is not just an issue of science but of cultural belief systems and values. Gives you conversational tools on how to tackle this conversation with people from all beliefs in a way that will have the most efficacy.

[Dom Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin.

Read for class - short.

Some interesting analogies of cultural shifts, a bit out of date though considering how partisanship is evolving in US. Also at times, over-optimistic in my opinion, falling into 'the markets will fix it' model.

[Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 2015. It's a general overview, and the topics are still valid in 2022. I ding it one star because the assumption is that there is some middle ground of moderates who you, a person who respects and knows science, can talk to and potentially persuade little by little, and the ending makes it clear that we are specifically talking about golfing with Republicans. If you don't golf with Republicans (or have equivalent interactions in academic or work settings), you may be unable to use this to make an actionable communication plan with anyone. But in the abstract, these are valuable ideas about motivated reasoning, polarization, and dialogue. I put more words on Medium.

[Betsy D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoffman presents some research-based, helpful answers to a long-standing question of mine: how do climate change contrarians think about the issue, and how can we reach them? He explains their values--largely economic--and resistances, and fears, without lumping all in one pile.
I don't know whether I can speak about helpful climate actions in terms of economics, since those are far from my motivations, but many are moved by health and pollution concerns, too, which could work better for me.
And, of course, don't put people on the defensive.
A short little book, well worth reading.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I did like the way it was laid out and the look at the issue from a cultural perspective. However, it already feels a bit dated. The book came out before the Paris Climate Accords (and the subsequent US withdrawal) which really changed the conversation. Also, the predictions have gotten much more dire and immediate, and I think overall there is a lot more buy in. Perhaps that is a sign that what is outlined here worked, at least on a public opinion level. Even if not all leaders are on board, it feels like more of the public has come to a consensus on the issue.

Also, the political landscape has shifted so drastically I just don't feel like some of the same rules apply. A lot of his arguments center on reason, and the past few years have shown that reason, logic, and facts don't always have a place in our discourse. I agree with his main idea that you have to understand the political landscape to make your arguments, but the landscape has changed so rapidly so fast that his suggestions feel almost quaint.

I read this because it was the summer reading book for my alma matter, and I think it was an odd choice. The concept is great in theory (and better by far than the other climate change book they did a few years back), but it's dated already and I feel like they could have found something stronger for such a contemporary topic. Also the ending pretty much gave the message that if you can't reasonably talk someone to the center of the issue you shouldn't bother, which sat poorly with me. The campus has had a lot of student activism which the administration has not handled well, and this reads to me as a super passive aggressive statement to the new students.

I also wonder who the intended audience is for this. It was accessible to me, but I also have two college degrees and a basic familiarity with the text. I'm curious to know if incoming students felt like they could engage with the material at all.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid, succinct summary of what causes people to believe or doubt climate science (hint: not scientific arguments). This book presents different lenses through which people look at the world, backed by studies, and examines how to cater to these lenses and effectively change minds. These tactics could be used beyond debates about climate change as well. I do wish there were more example conversations in the book, since the list of questions to ask oneself about where a person is coming from before engaging them in discussion on climate change is a long one. The book's purported aim is to provide citizens with tools for effectively shifting the dialogue and leading to climate action, so I would have liked a bit more in the way of persuasive statements given their different lenses and standpoints. Still, a very worthwhile read that presents strategies that I will try to utilize to effect change.

[Roar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very important book. It is not mainly about climate change, but about how we make up our mind about it. It partly deals with the topic of scholarly consensus. I wish it could have gone even more deeply into that. Personally I wonder if the perception that scholarly consensus is a kind of conspiracy may be the most dangerous conspiracy theory of our time, since it makes political leaders pull in the wrong direction in a very critical time of history.

Someone should write a popular science book on what is involved in the concept of scholarly consensus. If it had been well written for us ordinary people, it would do a lot of good. If anyone can guide me to such literature, I would be very grateful!

[Nathalie Gustafsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Svinabra, intressant(!!!) och nyttig.
Fina analyser kring hur man kan förändra majoritetens synsätt på världen, människans plats och ansvar på planeten och den globala uppvärmningen.

"More science, though important, will not by itself change people's minds and create the collective will to act. (...) The debate over climate change is not about greenhouse gases and climate models alone. It is about the competing world views and cultural beliefs of people who must accept the science, even when it challenges those beliefs"

Värt att notera att den skrevs 2014 och en del har hänt sen dess på området

[Quinn Collard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book argues that the schism in American attitudes about climate change is attributable to cultural attitudes and values and so working within this context will be more effective at getting people to be willing to do something about it than just throwing scientific data at them. I think this makes sense and probably applies to many other divisive issues as well, so the book gave me a lot to think about, and I appreciated the clear, accessible language the author used to explain complex topics.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5. Not bad, but also at times repetitive and seemingly written as if more “profound” than it really was. Had points I agreed on, but also felt like at times it missed important aspects or left some parts out, and other times it said too much about particular topics. Of course, that is my opinion that doesn’t account for personal differences in what we each want to read and learn about when speaking g of climate change, and what we feel should be included in the discussion of it. The main points are included, so not bad enough that I’d call it a waste of time.

[Skunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was surprisingly good for a class required materials. This book is about the cultural divide of climate change and why there is a divide. I found it to be enlightening as a future environmental scientist. This book outlines the issue and makes it easier to understand why people are torn over climate change. It will be a useful tool for my scientific communication with the public.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and informative read that I’d highly recommend to everyone! How Culture Shapes the Climate Change Debate isn’t just about climate change; it applies to gun control, abortion, and practically any other polarizing current issue you can think of. This book serves as a beacon of light in our world that seems to be saturated by binary thinking and bipartisan politics.

[Michael Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent digest on the steps needed to bring the Republican party back into the fold of science. I will add steps is a misnomer but I can't think of a better way to put it. In any case this book is a way to think about how we as an entire society can move forward even with our disagreements.

[Chuck McGrady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought-provoking book whose lessons extend beyond the subject of climate change.

[Sophia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring and pretentious. Insists victims must have politically neutral friendships. White man nonsense.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought-provoking and novel to me

[Richard Marney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable content, if you’ve read a newspaper recently and, a more predictable sense of despondency, if you have a few working brain cells!

[Kevin Ells · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best short primer on environmental communication strategy I have read so far.

[sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this were more popular!! Bridging the ideological gap between the Left and Right is not talked about enough/seriously when it comes to environmentalism!!

[Haley Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

these topics are still so relevant and can definitely be applied to more than just climate change

[Katt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that gave me a great understanding of why the American society find it so complicated to understand or “believe” in for what the rest of us is a proven scientific fact.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at climate change within a framework of biases and perspectives.
4 forms of distrust : messenger, process, message, solution

[Anna From Gustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, let me say that this book is only ninety pages (the remaining thirty are notes.) That's important because otherwise you might not want to read it. :-) But it's quick, well-written and packed with information.

This book is not about proving climate change. It's about WHY there is such a divide in public opinion about climate change and HOW we can try to shrink that divide. The issues dividing us are not conflicting scientific information, they are about conflicting values and cultures.

My book club read it and my church "green group" will be reading it. Highly recommended.

[Ian Billick · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book that gets a lot right. Nice to see something that moves beyond emotional satisfaction to understanding what really moves people. Interesting to see Jonathan Haidt's work cited.