The psychology of denial
British environmentalist George Monbiot has documented the four stages of denial experienced by the climate change nay-sayers. First they said that climate change didn’t exist. Then that it wasn’t caused by human activity. As the proof of human involvement became overwhelming, they switched to saying that climate change would bring some benefits. Now most are saying that it’s simply too late to act to avert climate change, so let’s do nothing. Of course, they are dangerously wrong on all counts.
[Herald-Sun columnist] Andrew Bolt (and John Howard) is still stuck in stage one of the denial game. He is, however, part of a shrinking and discredited minority – which has to be a good thing in a country that is still, per capita, the worst greenhouse polluter on the planet.
Extract from a letter by Tim Flannery – Herald Sun