Personality, politics, and denial: Tolerance of ambiguity, political orientation and disbelief in climate change

Denial of climate change may exacerbate the problem by impeding pro-environmental behavior and policy. An online survey of 219 US citizens assessed tolerance of ambiguity, political orientation, and beliefs about climate change. Results indicated that low tolerance of ambiguity predicted beliefs that: 1) climate change is not a problem; 2) is not the result of human activity, and; 3) cannot be corrected through individual behavior. Analyses also supported that these relationships were mediated by conservative political orientation. The link between conservative politics and refusal to accept climate science may reflect a proximate relationship; personality characteristics, like tolerance of ambiguity, may ultimately be responsible for drawing people to both political and environmental ideologies.