Most Germans are willing to do more to protect the climate, but concerns about the social and economic consequences of climate policy are widespread. This is one of the findings of the second cohesion report by the Research Institute Social Cohesion (RISC), which analyzes the attitudes of the German population toward socio-ecological transformation. For the report, the Social Media Observatory (SMO) at the Hamburg RISC section at the HBI examined the dynamics of climate discourse on social media and found that climate-skeptical positions and misinformation are common in social media debates, even though these positions are less prevalent in society as a whole.
Key Findings of the Cohesion Report
The majority of the population recognizes the dangers of climate change and wants stronger climate protection. Eighty-three percent are concerned that natural disasters will increase as a result of climate change, and 71 percent believe that politicians need to do more to combat it. However, many people are also concerned about the economic consequences of climate policy, especially those in precarious socioeconomic situations. For instance, 49% fear climate policy will destroy jobs, and 42% fear their standard of living will decline as a result.
Climate Change and Climate Policy in Social Media
Based on data from the Social Media Observatory (SMO) and the Database of Public Spokespersons (DBöS), Dr. Gregor Wiedemann identifies the false and misleading information circulating about climate change and climate policy. He also looks at how this information spreads over time and the role played by political parties, public spokespersons, and other users. Chapter 10 of the report, “Skeptizismus und Desinformation zu Klimawandel und Klimapolitik in sozialen Medien” [Skepticism and Disinformation on Climate Change and Climate Policy in Social Media] (pp. 90–99), shows that the repeated, systematic dissemination of climate-skeptical positions and disinformation is primarily found in accounts belonging to the party Alternative for Germany (AfD). Conversely, user discussions on party tweets on the topic show high levels of climate skepticism across all parties. These positions are comparatively uncommon in society as a whole but are particularly visible in social media debates.
Five Climate Types
Researchers have identified five climate types. They differ in terms of attitudes toward climate change and climate protection, as well as concerns about the consequences of climate policy. The types are Determined (18%), Concerned (18%), Agreeing (31%), Indifferent (25%), and Rejecting (8%). Rejectors criticize climate policy and fear economic consequences. The Determined are convinced of the urgency of comprehensive measures. The Concerned are somewhere in between. They share the climate awareness of the Determined and the economic concerns of the Rejectors.
The eight percent of Rejectors are politically active. They spread their positions on social media, often with misinformation. This could explain why 70 percent fear that climate policy will exacerbate social conflicts. “If the attitude of those who reject climate policy is considered widespread, then ambitious climate policy appears to threaten social cohesion,” says RISC Director and co-editor of the study Prof. Dr. Olaf Groh-Samberg.
Data Basis
In addition to SMO data, the Cohesion Report uses three other data sources to analyze social cohesion:
- The German Social Cohesion Panel (SCP) is a quantitative longitudinal study representative of Germany.
- The Regional Panel (RegPan) is a quantitative longitudinal study in selected regions in Germany.
- The Qualitative Panel (Quali Panel) is a qualitative longitudinal study with 90 participants and five study regions in Germany (in German only).
Further Information on the Cohesion Report
Both reports and the calculator are only available in German.
To the complete Cohesion Report as a PDF
To the Climate Type Calculator
Further information on the Cohesion Report
Illustration: Research Institute Social Cohesion