Being green or being nice? People are more likely to share nicer but potentially less impactful green messages

Citizens can play an important role in disseminating scientific information about climate change, if motivated to do so. However, expressing green positions has the potential negatively affect people’s reputation, by making them look judgmental for instance. In three experiments among US and UK participants (N = 1197), we investigate reputational costs of sharing statements change that vary accuracy impact. experiment 1, show judge more someone a bleak (but arguably accurate) statement (e.g., calling it “climate breakdown”), compared control statement. Experiment 2 replicates this finding with “The richest 1% world is responsible most greenhouse gas emissions”) accusatorial (adding “because citizens countries like United States consume too much energy”). 3 shows are less willing share statements—even though they thought exert greater effect on their audience. Our results further fear appearing unfriendly might make people likely bleaker or accusatorial—even accurate potentially effective—statements change.