Taking Australia's Temperature and Fact Checking

Did you watch ABC TV's "Catalyst" program last Thursday? A quick overview of rises in temperature, sea level, and changes in rainfall. All in a simple, appealing package. If you watched it, did this program change your mind? The understated sub-text is Climate Change of course. Watch it at the Catalyst website.

If it didn't change your mind, you are in good company according to Radio National Future Tense Fact and Fiction, broadcasting now, Sunday 18 November.
Scientists have been measuring and dissecting our reactions to facts, challenges to held opinions and values. It's not surprising to find that we find it very hard to change our minds as our emotions kick in and find it too challenging for the ego.
I've been reading several papers on this recently, sent via a friend with greater access to the scientific databases than I have. It's even more interesting that we also grossly overestimate the number of people who agree with our opinions as well as overestimating those who totally disagree, according to a paper published in Nature Climate Change on  11 Nov 2012.
"Your opinion on climate change might not be as common as you think" . They state"people with high false consensus bias are less likely to change their opinions."Read and enjoy the authors opinion on the media.