Scientists who trust technology to fix climate change are less likely to act, study finds

Scientists who believe technology will largely solve the problems caused by climate change are 23% less likely to sign petitions or join protests than colleagues who doubt it, according to a study from the London School of Economics.

The researchers surveyed more than 9,000 scientists in 115 countries. Twenty-seven percent agreed that "technology will largely solve the problems caused by climate change," 44% disagreed and 29% were neutral. The techno-optimists were also 18% less likely to make high-impact lifestyle changes, such as flying less, driving less or following a mostly vegan or vegetarian diet.

"Technological solutions are often politically attractive because they promise to address climate change without requiring changes to how people live and consume," said Fabian Dablander, the study's lead author. He said technology "cannot substitute for the broader societal changes and large-scale shifts in consumption that are also needed."

The study, published in Environmental Research Letters, found techno-optimism was most common among scientists with right-leaning political views and those in applied and natural sciences.

Kevin Anderson, a climate scientist at the University of Manchester's Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research who was not involved in the study, said faith in future technology offers "a way of postponing difficult choices today."

This brief is based on reporting by Matthew Taylor, published Oct. 7, 2026, in the Guardian. Read the original: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/07/scientists-technology-less-likely-climate-crisis-action