A recent publication from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication reported on surveys showing that 65% of Americans “rarely” or “never” discuss global warming with friends or family; whereas, additional polling found that those who think global warming is happening outnumber those who disagree by a ratio of more than four to one. Furthermore; a majority of Americans worry about their communities being harmed by extreme heat, diseases carried by mosquitoes or ticks, droughts, wildfires, or flooding — threats exacerbated by global warming.
A large international study in the academic journal, Nature Climate Change, found that an overwhelming majority of respondents from around the world (86%) wanted their governments to do more to fight climate change but, when asked if they thought others agreed with them, the numbers decreased by 26%. A parallel study (Behavioral Scientist) with an American sample found broad support for climate policies but, when compared with their estimation of public support for those same policies, there was a “misperception gap” of 30-40%.
A solid majority of Americans recognize that the climate is changing, are concerned about the threats to their communities, and support government policies to address them but they rarely discuss climate change with others and underestimate the level of public support for those same policies. In conservative communities, citizens might fear that questioning the “party line” of climate denial would result in alienation from their friends and neighbors — even though those fears are likely exaggerated or nonexistent. In progressive communities, conversations about climate change are avoided because they are seen as too depressing or anxiety-provoking. These dynamics were addressed in a YouTube video by climate scientist, Katharine Hayhoe, with over 233,000 views, titled: The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: Talk about it.
I find myself wondering whether a similar dynamic of misperception might also infect the halls of Congress where many Republicans must recognize that Donald Trump’s demagogic intentions and unrelenting divisiveness and vindictiveness are dangerous for the country but, perhaps, they underestimate the degree to which their colleagues agree and they keep silent due to a fear of being ostracized by peers, punished by the administration and threatened by MAGA adherents. As a psychologist with years of experience in “talk therapy,” I know that fears kept inside can seem overwhelming but often lose their power in conversation with others. What would happen if members of Congress took the advice of Dr. Hayhoe and spoke (privately, of course) with their colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, about their feelings and concerns? It should be apparent from Trump’s declining poll numbers and the results from the recent election that many in Congress are lame ducks and likely to lose their re-election bids in 2026. I suspect it’s starting to dawn on many Republicans that being tightly hitched to an administration that’s imploding is not a solid career trajectory.
The solution to this madness is simple and obvious but, at the same time, unlikely. If a group of congressional Republicans banded together, negotiated terms with Democrats, and resigned from the Republican Party, leadership in Congress would shift to the Democrats and Trump’s tyranny over Congress would end immediately. In doing so, they would be acknowledging publicly what they know in their hearts to be true — that the Party had already left them. They would not have to join the Democratic Party but could declare themselves as Independent and doing so this would simultaneously restore a much-needed moderate voice into the legislature.
I recognize that this step would require courage but, if a large enough group did this en masse, there would be some degree of safety in numbers. The young men and women in our military have often put themselves in harm’s way out of a patriotic love of country. Should we expect less of those in Congress?
It’s also possible that by displaying independence, they would be praised as heroes and rewarded by their constituents. Polls have consistently shown that voters in both blue and red states are frustrated by the gridlock in Washington and would much prefer that their elected representatives work for the good of their constituents and the country and not solely to benefit their Party. This national nightmare would be significantly alleviated, if not entirely eliminated — and we all could sleep more soundly.
Joe Silverman of Florence is a retired psychologist and active with the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby. His focus is on the psychology of climate change communications, as changes are needed to engage a broader spectrum of the public and activate climate solutions.