'From Climate Change Denier to Believer: My Personal Journey towards Accepting the Reality'

Sarah Ott, a former climate skeptic, shares her journey from doubting climate change to becoming an advocate for clean energy. Influenced by friends at her church in the US South and a popular right-wing radio host, Ott initially believed that climate change was a hoax. However, her perspective began to change when she encountered the term "climate change" in middle school and later studied zoology in university. While living in Georgia with her husband and two daughters, Ott would spend hours at home listening to conservative radio stations, including controversial host Rush Limbaugh, who dismissed climate change as a hoax. She became convinced of this view, especially when she learned about the Climategate controversy involving research from the University of East Anglia. Years later, Ott realized that this material had been twisted and taken out of context. During a period of postpartum depression and anxiety, Ott sought intellectual stimulation through the radio. She stumbled upon NPR, where she encountered a different perspective on climate change that resonated with her. This led her to question the narratives she had been exposed to on conservative stations and ultimately stop listening to them. Ott also recognized how her social network had changed since she stopped teaching, with her only remaining community being her church group. Disagreeing with their views, particularly on issues like gay rights, she decided to leave the group after they voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 US presidential elections. Returning to her job as a teacher, Ott made new friends and realized that she no longer denied climate change. She became involved with non-partisan groups like Citizens' Climate Lobby and the National Center for Science Education, using her position as a science teacher to educate her teenage students on climate change. Ott acknowledges that admitting she was wrong about something as significant as climate change was difficult, considering her coal-mining family history. However, she believes in setting an example and understanding the perspectives of those who still deny climate change. While a majority of Americans now view climate change as a major threat, there is a growing partisan divide. However, research shows that some people have changed their minds, with an increasing number becoming more concerned about global warming. Overall, Ott's journey highlights the importance of being open-minded, seeking different perspectives, and understanding the values that can connect people on the issue of climate change.