The study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, analysed over 50,000 articles published in 20 leading sociology journals between 2013 and 2018. It found that only 0.7% of these articles mentioned climate change, and only 0.1% focused specifically on the topic.
The study's authors say that this lack of attention to climate change is a major oversight, given the significant social impacts of the issue. They argue that sociologists need to do more to understand how climate change is affecting society, and how society can respond to it.
"Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, but it is largely absent from sociological research," said Dr. Robert Brulle, a professor of sociology at Drexel University and one of the study's authors. "This is a major oversight, as climate change is having a profound impact on society."
The study's findings are consistent with previous research that has shown that climate change is often overlooked in the social sciences. A 2017 study found that only 1% of articles in top political science journals mentioned climate change. Another study found that only 2% of articles in top economics journals mentioned climate change.
The lack of attention to climate change in sociology is particularly concerning given the field's focus on social inequality and environmental justice. Climate change is likely to have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, such as the poor, the elderly, and people of color. Sociologists need to do more to understand how climate change is affecting these groups and to develop policies to mitigate its impacts.
"Climate change is a social problem that requires social solutions," said Dr. Brulle. "Sociologists have a lot to offer to the understanding of climate change and its impacts. We need to step up and do more research on this issue."
Here are some reasons why climate change is ignored in sociology:
Lack of awareness. Many sociologists are simply not aware of the latest climate science research. This is because climate change is a relatively new field of study, and it is not always well-integrated into sociology curricula.
Technical complexity. Climate science can be complex and difficult to understand. This can make it difficult for sociologists to incorporate climate change into their research.
Lack of funding. There is relatively little funding available for climate change research in sociology. This makes it difficult for sociologists to conduct research on the topic.
Political polarization. Climate change is a politically polarizing issue. This can make it difficult for sociologists to conduct research on the topic without being labeled as biased.
Despite these challenges, there is a growing movement of sociologists who are working to address climate change. These sociologists are working to develop new theories and methods to understand climate change, and they are also working to develop policies to mitigate its impacts.
