Jonathan in his recent post and his comments to that post made a big point of emphasizing the importance of science as the basis for action in terms of climate change.  He also emphasized his belief that the denial of climate change by leading Republicans in the current campaign is an unprecedented rejection of science (at least since World War II).

I don’t disagree with any of Jonathan’s points.  But I also don’t think that science is going to be what (if anything) convinces the vast majority of doubters and skeptics about climate change.

I can think of at least three reasons that appear to motivate skepticism of climate change among conservatives and others.  (I don’t claim that this is an exhaustive list, but I am very confident that these are important factors.)

(1)  A belief that humans cannot possibly have a fundamental impact on nature.  This might be because of a belief in the sheer size and scope and power of the natural world, or a belief that God would not allow us to harm the environment, among other reasons.  This is a belief with a long history in American and Western culture, and in many ways the rise ...

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