Why Do Some Swedish Men Deny Climate Change?

Have you ever wondered why some Swedish men are more likely to deny climate change than women? It turns out, this might be linked to something called "threatened masculinity. " This happens when men feel like their masculinity is being challenged or devalued, often due to changes in society that give more rights to women. You see, environmental care is often seen as a feminine trait. So, when men feel their masculinity is under threat, they might deny climate change to restore that sense of manliness. This was found in three online surveys with over 2, 000 Swedish adults. Men were more likely to deny climate change, and those who felt their masculinity was threatened were even more likely to do so.

The surveys also showed that believing in a shift in sexism and feeling connected to men's rights activists were signs of threatened masculinity. These feelings were what made men more likely to deny climate change. This research helps us understand why there's a gender gap in environmental attitudes in many Western countries. It also shows how climate change denial might be linked to growing gender-related polarization in these places.

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