“Climate Change is Real, but I Don't Wanna Talk About It”: Unraveling Spiral of Silence Effects Regarding Climate Change Among Midwestern American Farmers

Abstract

Through the lens of the spiral of silence theory, this study unveils how farmers in Kansas and Missouri navigate the challenges that arise from disagreements with others in conversations about climate change, an issue that has been fraught with political tension and deep division, especially in rural areas in the United States (US). Findings indicate that concerns about personal safety and alienation inhibit open discussions about climate change, even within family, friends, and tight-knit communities, thereby discouraging some from addressing observable climate shifts in their farming work. Interviewees attribute this reticence to the politicization of the topic and the polarizing influence of certain media outlets, which contribute to a stifling environment where dissenting voices, even on an environmental issue, feel marginalized.