What Moves Conservatives On The Environment? Show Them Pictures Of What Happens Without The EPA

[caraher]

5. That's EXACTLY why you need the pictures

You're right, they're not moved by facts, but there's an argument due to Jonathan Haidt and others that says liberals and conservatives base moral judgments on different kinds of factors. Liberals tend to base those on principles of fairness and harm prevention, while conservatives also weigh strongly factors like respect for authority and feelings of disgust.

So the whole idea is to evoke that "disgust/purity" response by using images. The research suggests this is more effective in getting them to care about the environment than any amount of information about harms caused by environmental degradation.

Oh, and welcome to DU!