The Gray Area with Sean Illing Republicans vs. the planet
Dec 23, 2019
In this engaging discussion, Dave Roberts, an energy and climate writer at Vox and senior fellow at the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, delves into the interplay between political psychology and climate change. He explains 'tribal epistemology' and its role in climate paralysis, while tracing the GOP's shift from cap-and-trade advocates to climate deniers. The conversation also critiques the media's impact on public trust, debates the divisiveness of nuclear energy, and highlights the intersection of climate policies with social inequalities.
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Episode notes
Roberts' Shift in Focus
- Dave Roberts's work shifted from climate science to political psychology.
- He now focuses on how information ecosystems affect the climate crisis.
Tribal Epistemology
- Tribal epistemology prioritizes tribal interests over factual truth.
- Beliefs become aligned with what benefits the group, not objective reality.
Polarization Shift
- John McCain's climate plan in 2008 shows how quickly the issue polarized.
- Sarah Palin's post-election op-ed marked a turning point in climate denial.
