

105 - Sheila Jasanoff
Dec 21, 2017
Sheila Jasanoff, the Pforzheimer Professor of Science and Technology Studies at Harvard, delves into the roots of U.S. climate skepticism. She explores the struggle between transcendental facts and individual experiences in climate belief. Jasanoff discusses the vital role of civic epistemologies and the need for 'technologies of humility' in democratizing science. Her insights reveal how matters of fact intertwine with concerns for justice and the necessity of global democracy. Discover how we can bridge gaps in understanding through epistemic charity.
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Understanding U.S. Climate Skepticism
- U.S. climate skepticism is less about fossil fuel interests and more about collective meaning-making challenges.
- Different nations form distinct public understandings of environmental problems shaped by their political cultures.
Challenges in Climate Meaning-Making
- American individualism and distrust in centralized regulation hinder climate policy acceptance.
- Immediate health impacts build collective action, unlike distant and abstract climate threats.
Belief in Climate Change Explained
- Asking "Do you believe in climate change?" frames it like a matter of faith.
- Climate knowledge is mediated, not direct, tying belief to trust in authority rather than firsthand experience.