I saw that work as invaluable because it illustrated that a focus on deep
polarization over the level of risk posed by
global warming could be distracting from the prospect of taking widely - supported steps that could be taken to address it.
Keep in mind, also, that the data are measured
over a time period that largely predates the
polarization related to
global warming — so using that study as a way to confirm assertions about the impact of the climate wars on public trust in scientists is motivated reasoning in its purest form.