Comforting Lies: Authoritarianism, Anti-environmentalism and Climate Change Denial

Precise, objective, and comprehensive scientific data has consistently been produced by international organisations such as the IPCC, WMO and NASA, based on the rational expectation that signals have similar meanings and that with greater access to information and scientific data, there will be greater convergence in the appraisal of threat from climate change and stimulate stronger and more concerted efforts amongst nations. Despite consistent diplomatic efforts spearheaded by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the periodic Conference of Parties (COP) dialogues, there is still persistent inaction and pathological deferment on meeting intended national targets to limit global temperatures. The chapter delves into why despite newer scientific evidence of the anthropogenically induced ill-effects on the environment and increased incidence of severe weather occurrences, there still exists denial, deferment and apathy amongst political leaders and people in making accelerated decisive efforts at mitigating these effects.