A Survey Instrument to Measure Skeptics’ (Dis)Trust in Climate Science

Existing survey instruments of trust in science and scientists that focus on the general public are potentially insufficient to assess climate skeptics’ perspectives towards science. They may miss important aspects about which skeptics raise concerns, not accurately measure distrust climatology. We introduce a new instrument developed using data gathered from interviewing 33 self-identified change Idaho. The items capture beliefs regarding scientists’ trustworthiness credibility, their deference scientific authority, perceptions alienation community. validate our an online administered 1000 residents U.S. Pacific Northwest who skeptical change. By employing standard design principles, we demonstrate how (dis)trust performs tandem with well-known predictors attitudes pro-environmentalism.