Change Quote by Michael Bloomberg
“People vote against their own interests that all the time. But when you do the polling in the U.S., it has gone from less than 50 percent who thought climate change was real to 70-odd percent. And if you listen to the Republicans in Congress, they used to say, "Oh, climate change doesn't exist." Then they switched to "Well, it exists, but it's not man-made," to "Well, I'm going to address the issue." Why? Because when they go home, the local constituent says, "Wait a second. What are you talking about? We just had a flood. We haven't had rain in a long time." They can't get away from it.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Climate Change Remarks, Bloomberg, 2023
People often deny facts that conflict with personal or political interests, yet direct experiences can shift opinions dramatically.
In simple terms: People ignore facts until they feel the impact personally.
Key Takeaway
Personal experience can change opinions.
Themes
politics
psychology
climate change
behavior
public opinion
Mood
concerned
hopeful
urgent
Type
political
motivational
educational
When to use this quote
- campaign messaging
- community outreach
- personal storytelling
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
motivational interviewing
social proof
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders translate personal experiences into collective action?
- What strategies overcome identity‑based resistance?
A Different Perspective
People may still resist change due to entrenched identities or misinformation.
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