Researchers say politics, identity, and a sense of control shape who doubts climate change the most.

Decades of research show that conservative white males are significantly more likely to doubt climate change than any other demographic group in the United States. Studies published in journals such as Global Environmental Change and Nature Climate Change point to a mix of cultural and psychological factors behind the trend. Many within this group view environmental regulation as a threat to economic freedom or traditional social values. Experts say climate skepticism has become tied to identity and ideology, making facts alone less effective at changing minds — even as the planet keeps warming.








