So why should I worry?

The Atlantic Monthly has some interesting observations on the disconnect between acknowleging the reality of climate change and actually believing it will have a personal effect.

Yale climate change research scientist Anthony Leiserowitz. The survey asked Americans, “Who will be most harmed by climate change?” Respondents said that climate change would mostly affect:

• Plant and animal species: 45 percent

• Future generations of people: 44 percent

• People in developing countries: 31 percent

• People in other industrialized nations: 22 percent

• People in the United States: 21 percent

• Your local community: 13 percent

• Your family: 11 percent

• You personally: 10 percent

This explains a lot.  Most importantly it explains the lack of urgency to prevent the worst climate change scenario.  Climate change is believed to be true, but in practice, supporting change with personal implications, like gas tax increases, get little support.  It is little wonder that politicians, even those who understand the implications, are so unwilling to act.

The study also showed that Americans are not alone in this.  The disconnect is a world wide phenomenon.