Kathmandu— A new report reveals a significant class divide in attitudes towards climate policies, with working-class Americans often viewing them unfavorably compared to their more educated counterparts. The study suggests that linking climate initiatives directly to everyday material concerns could improve support among the working class.

Class Gap on Climate Priorities

The report by Joan C. Williams and Jared Abbott, titled 'The Left’s Coalition Crisis,' highlights a stark divide between upper-middle-class liberals and the US working class on climate change priorities. While liberal college graduates rank climate initiatives highly, working-class respondents place them much lower in their list of concerns. For instance, white liberal college grads prioritize climate issues sixth out of thirty, whereas the white working class ranks it twenty-seventh.

Policy Messaging and Support

The study also examines how policy messaging can influence support among different demographics. It finds that policies framed to address immediate economic concerns gain more traction with working-class individuals. For example, a carbon tax focused on emitters rather than consumers increases working-class support from 24% to 65%, while retaining high approval among liberal college graduates.

Reframing Climate Advocacy

The report suggests that climate advocates should focus more on issues like energy costs, job creation, and pollution reduction. This approach resonates with working-class respondents, increasing support to 75% while maintaining high approval among affluent liberals. The study also notes the importance of emphasizing economic growth and reshoring manufacturing in communities affected by deindustrialization.

The findings underscore the need for climate policies that address immediate material concerns of working-class Americans, potentially bridging the class divide on environmental issues.

(With inputs from Jacobin)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.