Which Countries Are the Most Divided on Science?

From public healthcare to politics, it’s virtually impossible for populations to come to mutual understandings. Environmental science is no exception, with a recent survey by the Pew Research Centre revealing just one in five Americans with right-wing political views have a high level of trust in science and the climate change crisis. Compared to other nations surveyed in the study, the level of mistrust in the US was significantly higher.

80% of world population believe in science and climate issues

In other countries such as Australia, Canada, Europe and South Korea the divide was much less noticeable. In the UK, around 68% of right-wing Brits hold science in high esteem and actively prioritise environmental issues. The figure is similar in other European nations such as France, Spain, Italy and Sweden. Left-wing citizens showed even more solidarity, with 84% prioritising environmental issues. Around the world, the Pew survey revealed 80% of people believe governments should continue investing in scientific research and climate change initiatives.

Left-wing citizens prioritise science

In general, the research suggests left-wing citizens are more likely to give precedence to science, environmental issues and the climate change crisis than their right-wing or centre ground counterparts. While the ideological pattern is present in most nations, in the United States the divide is especially pronounced. Just 20% of right-wing citizens place a high level of trust in science, compared to around 60% of left-wing people.

“Public views about climate, environment and energy issues are strongly linked with political ideology,” reads the report. “For example, those who place themselves on the political left are more inclined to see climate change as a serious problem and to think their government is doing too little to address it than those on the right; these differences are particularly wide in the U.S., Australia, Sweden, Canada, the UK and the Netherlands.”

Views “generally positive”

Overall, around 64% of Americans believe in protecting the environment, with a similar number admitting the government could be doing more to address climate change issues. Around 50% of respondents categorised climate change as a serious problem and admitted human activity played a key role in accelerating global warming.

“These findings showcase the generally positive views that publics around the world hold for scientists and their work, as well as ideological fault lines in many places over how much to trust scientists,” says Cary Funk, the director of science and society research at the Pew Research Centre.

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