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Scientists have emotional responses to climate change too

Nature Climate Change volume 14, pages 1010–1012 (2024)Cite this article

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The dominant paradigm holding that science is always objective needs to be challenged. When scientists’ opinions about climate change and their own fears are seen as irrelevant, it suggests that science is separate from society; however, this perspective ultimately weakens climate science.

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Acknowledgements

We thank M. Baldissera Pacchetti and K. O’Brien for their helpful comments on earlier drafts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    E. L. F. Schipper

  2. University of Fiji, Saweni, Lautoka, Fiji

    S. S. Maharaj

  3. Institute for Small Islands, Woodbrook, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

    S. S. Maharaj

  4. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

    G. T. Pecl

  5. Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

    G. T. Pecl

Authors
  1. E. L. F. Schipper
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  2. S. S. Maharaj
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  3. G. T. Pecl
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Contributions

Conceptualization by E.L.F.S. and S.S.M. All authors contributed equally to writing and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. L. F. Schipper.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Schipper, E.L.F., Maharaj, S.S. & Pecl, G.T. Scientists have emotional responses to climate change too. Nat. Clim. Chang. 14, 1010–1012 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-02139-3

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