Women more likely to believe in climate change than men--study

Commenting on the new study findings, lead-researcher and an associate professor at the Michigan State University’s Department of Sociology, Aaron M. McCright, said in a statement, “Men still claim they have a better understanding of global warming than women, even though women’s beliefs align much more closely with the scientific consensus.”

The new study not just provides in-depth information on how women are more in-sync with science but also reinforces previous study findings that they tend to underestimate or doubt their scientific comprehension.

"Here is yet another study finding that women underestimate their scientific knowledge - a troubling pattern that inhibits many young women from pursuing scientific careers," revealed McCright.

The study titled “The effects of gender on climate change knowledge and concern in the American public,” was published in the September issue of the journal Population and Environment.

Research study findings
To come to this startling conclusion, professor McCright along with his colleagues analyzed data collected by researchers for Gallup organization’s annual environment survey between March 2001-2008.

The new study not just provides in-depth information on how women are more in-sync with science but also reinforces previous study findings that they tend to underestimate or doubt their scientific comprehension.

The researchers tried to finding out people's knowledge about climate change.

After carefully analyzing the data McCright found that women are not only more aware of the topic but also agree with scientists on this issue.

McCright explained in the research study, “A greater percentage of women than men worry about global warming a great deal (35% to 29%), believe global warming will threaten their way of life during their lifetime (37% to 28%) and believe the seriousness of global warming is underestimated in the news (35% to 28%).”

He added women are also more likely than men to believe that humans are primary reason for the global warming.

“I have never met a woman who has told me that she doesn't believe climate change is happening. On the other hand, I have met dozens of men who have told me that,” said McCright.

Explaining attitude difference
McCright noted that “gender socialization” could be behind such difference in men and women’s attitude towards environmental issues.

He theorized that as young boys are taught to stay detached from their emotions (unlike women); maybe that’s why they show less concern for the environment and tend to believe that issue is nothing more than a hoax.

“Women and men think about climate change differently,” concluded McCright.