The political psychology of climate denial

Alon Tal; Shlomit Paz

doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02523-7

The political psychology of climate denial

Alon Tal
, Shlomit Paz

School of Environmental Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/Debate

Abstract

Climate denial in political discourse is fuelled by psychological factors such as psychological distance, cognitive dissonance, confirmation bias, loss aversion, existential anxiety and social identity. Effective communication strategies addressing deniers’ motivations are crucial as denial undermines urgent climate action.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	2-4
Number of pages	3
Journal	Nature Climate Change
Volume	16
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-025-02523-7
State	Published - Jan 2026

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Springer Nature Limited 2025.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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10.1038/s41558-025-02523-7

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abstract = "Climate denial in political discourse is fuelled by psychological factors such as psychological distance, cognitive dissonance, confirmation bias, loss aversion, existential anxiety and social identity. Effective communication strategies addressing deniers{\textquoteright} motivations are crucial as denial undermines urgent climate action.",

author = "Alon Tal and Shlomit Paz",

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DO - 10.1038/s41558-025-02523-7

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JO - Nature Climate Change

JF - Nature Climate Change

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The political psychology of climate denial

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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