When it comes to the environment, many conservatives don’t like conserving

[DainBramaged]

Energy efficiency is often a hard sell in the US. Energy efficient devices can require a bit more money up front, which is then paid back gradually often over the course of several years. But a new study in the latest edition of PNAS suggests that the problem isn't only a matter of economics—instead, like so much else, energy efficiency has become politicized. Because they so strongly object to the thought of climate change, many conservatives won't spend more for energy-efficient light bulbs if their packaging contains a message about cutting carbon emissions.

The study had two parts. All participants were asked a bit about their demographic information and their political leanings. Then, one set was asked a series of questions about energy efficiency, which gauged how much the participants valued things like energy independence, limiting carbon emissions, or simply saving money on energy.

In the initial analysis, each of these factors appeared to be a negative for the conservatives, which didn't make a lot of sense—who actually devalues saving money on energy? But the lack of enthusiasm for curbing carbon emissions among the conservatives was rather dramatic, so the authors separated that out. When it was controlled for, it turns out that the conservatives in the study actually valued energy independence and saving money more than the more liberal study participants. It's just that they disliked the thought of avoiding carbon emissions so much that it overwhelmed these tendencies. (This effect was much stronger among conservative males.)

To see whether this played out in practical decisions, the authors gave a second set of participants some cash and asked them to buy either an incandescent or compact fluorescent lightbulb; they were able to keep the change. When the two bulbs cost the same amount, all but one of the participants opted for the more energy-efficient bulb.



http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/05/when-it-comes-to-the-environment-conservatives-dont-like-conserving/


They live in another dimension

[JaneyVee]

1. It's like conservatism isn't a political ideology anymore, it's just about being an asshole.

All you have to do is take the asshole side of every debate and BOOM!; You're a conservative. Energy efficiency? Fuck the Earth. Higher minimum wage? Fuck the poor. Healthcare for all? Fuck the sick. etc etc.

[Salviati]

4. I tend to think of it as a suicide cult

Only they're trying to take the rest of us along with them.

If a conservative offers you kool aid, politely decline and then run like hell...

[KoKo]

2. Recommend...it's interesting read...thanks.

[DainBramaged]

3. Hello my friend

[rightsideout]

5. I don't get it

Conservatives are supposed to be God loving, Religious, whatever.

But they don't respect God's creation. They certainly aren't stewards of the Earth. They are more like rapists. I guess they would consider it "legitimate rape."

[Bjorn Against]

6. I am pretty much a socialist yet more "fiscally conservative" than most Republicans I know

My mother raised me to be very frugal, while I admit I splurge more often than my mother taught me to her influence still has rubbed off a lot and I am always very conscious of making sure I don't overspend. I have never made a big salary but have never had financial problems, I made it through two years of college with only a couple thousand dollars of spending money for the entire two year stretch and I still had some of that money left at the end. The Republicans I know on the other hand? They tend to buy larger homes than they can afford and drive around in massive SUVs that cost them an arm and a leg. By my personal lifestyle I am a conservative yet politically I am a socialist, just goes to show that the label "conservative" does not fit the right-wing very well, the word fascist describes them much better.