Scientists with high techno optimism are less likely to take climate action

Scientists who believe technology will solve the climate crisis are less likely to engage in civic action on the issue, according to the Guardian. A study from the London School of Economics shows that techno optimism can lead to a reliance on unproven solutions instead of societal changes. [1]

The study found that scientists with faith in technological fixes are 23 percent less likely to sign petitions or join protests compared to peers who doubt those solutions, the Guardian reported. They are also 18 percent less likely to adopt high impact lifestyle changes such as reducing personal emissions. [1]

The findings come as international climate negotiations continue ahead of major summits. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Pacific leaders recently gathered in Nadi, Fiji, for UN pre-COP climate talks ahead of the COP31 summit in Turkey, focusing on limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and securing climate finance. [1][3]