Scientists who hold the belief that technological advancements will mainly address issues related to the climate crisis show a marked reluctance to engage in civic actions aimed at combating climate change, according to a recent study conducted by the London School of Economics.
The study indicates that this group, characterized by “techno-optimism,” is 23% less likely to participate in petitions or protests than their peers who express skepticism about technology’s capacity to resolve environmental challenges. Additionally, these optimistic scientists are 18% less likely to make significant lifestyle adjustments, such as reducing air travel or adopting a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Fabian Dablander, the lead author of the report, explained that techno-optimism can lead to an excessive dependence on unproven technological solutions while neglecting the comprehensive socio-economic transformations essential for effectively addressing the climate and nature crises. “Technological solutions are often politically attractive because they promise to address climate change without requiring changes to how people live and consume,” Dablander said.
The study surveyed over 9,000 scientists from 115 countries. Among them, 27% agreed with the assertion that “technology will largely solve the problems caused by climate change,” while 44% disagreed, and 29% neither agreed nor disagreed.
Researchers found that those with greater faith in technology, labeled as “techno-optimists,” engaged less in civic action, signing fewer petitions and participating in advocacy efforts. They also reported lower tendencies to reduce their flights or adopt sustainable diets. The findings revealed that techno-optimism was most prevalent among scientists with right-leaning political views and those in applied and natural sciences.
In response to the findings, Professor Kevin Anderson, a leading climate scientist at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, noted that many climate academics, particularly those with substantial incomes and prestige, may embrace this belief as a means of avoiding personal responsibility. Anderson stated that this perspective allows individuals to maintain a “comforting fiction” of concern for future generations, while continuing lifestyles that significantly contribute to environmental problems. He emphasized that relying on technological solutions often undermines the need for immediate, difficult choices in the present.
The report is published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, and its insights highlight crucial intersections between belief in technology and actual climate action commitment among scientists.
