Unlocking Trust in Science: The Impact of Political Discourse on Public Perception

A recent study reveals that people in Australia and New Zealand have more trust in scientists than anywhere else in the developed world. Surprisingly, the authors believe that local politics might not be a major barrier to this trust.

But not everyone is convinced. The research, which surveyed over 70,000 individuals from 68 countries, indicates a generally high level of trust in climate scientists. However, participants who identified as politically conservative tended to trust climate scientists less than scientists in general. This “trust gap” varies from country to country.

Omid Ghasemi, the lead author from the UNSW Institute for Climate Risk and Response in Sydney, shared that Australia ranks fifth globally in overall trust in scientists and eighth for climate scientists. “While trust in Australian climate scientists is slightly lower than in general scientists, it remains quite hopeful,” he remarked.

New Zealand also shows strong trust levels in both climate and general scientists. Interestingly, the gap between these trust levels is smaller in Australia and New Zealand compared to other countries.

One reasons for this might be that, even with significant political divisions in Australia, trust in scientists isn’t as closely tied to political beliefs as in the United States or parts of Europe. This indicates that scientific trust may be less influenced by politics here, allowing it to stay relatively high across different political views.

Australia’s rich tradition of scientific research and growing concern for climate change—especially after natural disasters like bushfires and floods—could boost public trust. The role scientists play in climate debates also adds to this trust, according to Ghasemi.

The data comes from the international Trust in Science and Science-Related Populism study conducted from November 2022 to August 2023.

Interestingly, the study found that in six countries—China, Taiwan, South Korea, Egypt, Israel, and Germany—climate scientists garnered more trust than other scientists. Ghasemi suggests that trust in these scientists is stronger where there is public support for climate policies or high vulnerability to extreme weather.

Demographic factors also play a role. Older individuals tended to report lower trust in climate scientists, while urban residents showed higher trust levels. Interestingly, religiosity correlated positively with trust in climate science, while education levels didn’t show a clear link.

David Karoly, a veteran climate scientist, notes that he has encountered many people skeptical of climate science due to misleading portrayals in the media. “It’s troubling to see how right-wing media influences public trust,” he explained. His experiences underline the complex interactions between trust and the media landscape in Australia.

Polling from the Climate Council shows that 83% of Australians have felt the impact of climate-related disasters since 2019. This personal experience might enhance public trust in climate scientists, as it brings their work closer to daily life.

Professor Hugh Possingham, a respected figure in Australian science, points out that scientists are often seen as the most trustworthy sources of information about the environment—three times more trusted than the federal government. He attributes this to the supportive academic environment in Australia.

In summary, while high levels of trust in scientists exist in Australia and New Zealand, various social, political, and personal factors shape this trust. Overcoming challenges posed by misinformation remains critical for maintaining and improving public confidence in scientific expertise.

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