Episode Details

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Marshall Shepherd, a leading climate scientist, unpacks the complexities of climate change perception and the barriers to understanding scientific consensus. 🌍

💡 He challenges the often-posed question, "Do you believe in climate change?" by explaining that science isn’t about belief but evidence, using powerful analogies like gravity to illustrate this point.

📊This episode is part of the Open My Mind: Brain & Beyond  Series.

🔑 Key Insights:

• Weather vs. Climate: Dr. Shepherd clarifies the distinction between weather (short-term atmospheric conditions) and climate (long-term patterns), helping listeners understand the bigger picture 🌦️☀️
• Is climate change real?: Dr. Shepherd highlights the overwhelming scientific consensus—87% of scientists agree on human contributions to climate change, while public understanding lags behind at 50% 🌡️🔍
• Confirmation bias: He discusses how people tend to seek out information that supports their pre-existing beliefs, ignoring evidence to the contrary, a key factor in shaping climate change denial 🧠🔄
• Cognitive dissonance and the Dunning-Kruger effect: These psychological concepts further explain why people struggle to reconcile new information with their beliefs or overestimate their understanding of complex issues 🌀📉
• Expanding your horizon: Dr. Shepherd encourages listeners to evaluate their biases, scrutinize their sources, and expand their radius of understanding by engaging with new perspectives and evidence. He shares the inspiring story of Greg Fishel, a TV meteorologist who evolved from climate change skepticism to acceptance of scientific consensus 🌱🧠

This episode not only challenges perceptions but promotes scientific literacy, inspiring listeners to confront misinformation and take informed action in the face of global climate change.

🎧 Tune in for a deep dive into the psychology of perception and scientific inquiry, and remember to always strive to expand your horizon. 

Warm Regards, The Guardian & Talisman

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