‘Too much information’ about climate change triggers cognitive impairment
DOUGLAS, Isle of Man, June 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — While appearing on the latest episode of Climate Conversationsthe United Renewables podcast which focuses on improving the quality of public discourse on the subject, Professor Likierman questioned the “more is better” approach to climate communication.
“It’s very difficult, if you don’t know the scientific basis, to keep up with the pace of data around such a complicated and difficult ‘problem,'” he said. information – so I guess what most people would understandably do is go back to the question, who do I trust?
Likierman – whose own research analyzes the subject of judgment in corporate decision-making – has linked these information and trust issues to a range of cognitive biases identified by academic psychologists, including:
- Confirmation bias: sorting data or trusting intermediate authorities based on existing beliefs
- Proximity bias: overvaluing our immediate surroundings when forming judgments and undervaluing information from geographically distant locations
- Skepticism of “motivated information” offered by emotionally charged communicators
Christopher Caldwell, CEO of United Renewables and host of Climate Conversationsresponded by asking Professor Likierman where he saw “optimism” in humanity’s efforts to overcome these biases.
“There is the intergenerational question. That’s fine for us, but what about the children and grandchildren?
‘The actions you are taking now are staggered. I feel like this is the avenue by which one can appeal, in a way that does not conflict with popular prejudice,” Prof Likierman replied.
United Renewables – a full life-cycle developer of green energy projects in the UK – is committing its own resources to climate communication, partnering with London Business School to create the Climate Conversations podcast. The series invites leading thinkers to explain and challenge existing environmental narratives, with previous guests such as Professor Michael Jacobides and Ramez Nasser.
The last episode will be released on Friday 1st July 2022. The full video of the interview will be available on the United Renewables website along with all previous episodes.
Link: https://unitedrenewables.co.uk/resources
Contact details for the press release
Company: United Renewables
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Tel: +447624457139
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