Five studies examine opposition to expert consensus on controversial scientific issues. Topics include vaccines and climate change. Results show that "the people who disagree most with the scientific community know less about the relevant issues, but they think they know more."

It's important to note, investigators ruled out the possibility that the results were driven solely by demographic variables, including education level. Doing so did not meaningfully change any of the reported relationships in these studies.

"The findings suggest that focusing on changing individuals’ perceptions of their own knowledge may be a helpful first step" for countering anti-consensus views. For example, the topic of climate change with anti-consensus individuals is to engage them in a discussion about scientific mechanisms. Let’s use the greenhouse gas phenomena in this example. (The short video below provides a basic description of greenhouse gas.) This way of describing how greenhouse gases impact the planet has been shown to reduce subjective knowledge and increase deference to experts.

If climate deniers think they know all there is to know, then public education methods need to adapt different ways to engage, and not avoid these conversations.

Science Advances, ​Knowledge overconfidence is associated with anti-consensus views on controversial scientific issues

Dr. Daniel Griffin is a dendrochronologist and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota. He studies climate and ecosystem change via tree ring data. This article caught my attention because I've been looking at coast redwood tree rings and am interested in the work done by Zane Moore at UC Davis and California State Parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Less than 5 percent of old growth coast redwoods are left along the California and Oregon coast, and many are over 1,000 years old. Tree rings tell a story, but can they predict the future health of a forest?

There is uncertainty in the science community about how long the ongoing drought and our ever-warmer climate are affecting these forests. Redwoods are great at adapting to water absorption using specialized shoots that vary from northern and southernmost forests. [1] But many are in the grips of a mega-drought and extreme fire events. [2] Will the coast redwoods’ missing tree rings spell out the future of the forests? Is the worst-case scenario avoidable?

This 500 Year Old Tree in California Has a Story to Tell, by Daniel Griffin, New York Times, July 2022

If you have an RV, there's a way to help small farms, wineries, breweries, and even local museums. It's called Harvest Hosts. I've been a member since they started the app-based service, but somehow manage to stay the night at campgrounds, and the kids' driveways. Recently we stayed at a Harvest Host in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Burrell Vineyards and Winery, and it was super fun. Having access to the ridge top deck at sunset (after hours) was something special. Brought home some great wines as well.  Yummmm!

​A road trip before summer break is a leisurely way to enjoy remote highways, quaint towns, and chat with the locals—all before school gets out. It’s also unpredictable in terms of weather, but the tradeoff is stunning cloud formations, rushing rivers, lush green meadows, and wildflowers blanketing the hills!

Below are some photos from the California coast, central Oregon, the Payette National Forest in Idaho, the Lolo Pass, and Montana.  California included Bodega Bay, Fort Bragg, Avenue of the Giants, and Jedediah Smith State Park.

Crater Lake, Oregon, Sisters, and heading east to Idaho.

McCall, Idaho and driving along the Salmon River

Lolo Pass to Montana—Missoula, Bison Range, and the Bitterroot

In late February 2022, I began the journey of becoming a docent in one of the most celebrated parks on the California coastline, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. It was a nine-week journey with a class of wonderful people, and as any interpretive training should be, it continues to include enrichment opportunities on a regular basis. Simply put, there is always more to learn, more inspiration, and more opportunities to share with others.

Mind you, this is a volunteer position. Not everyone can make this kind of time commitment. But I encourage you to make time to visit the redwoods. Please ask a docent why these magnificent trees are so tall—and how do they adapt to fire? Why do they grow in such weird formations, for example, like a trident? Ask how much carbon they capture compared to other trees! I can answer these questions, but it's so much more meaningful when you are standing inside a redwood grove, breathing in the cool air, seeing the rays of sun pierce through the canopy, and hearing songbirds greet you.

Special thanks to State Parks Lead Interpreter, Dylan McManus, a dynamic educator and guardian of the coast redwood galaxy. 

NOTE: You can check out a vehicle day pass to a California State Park from the Library!
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park brochure, including trail maps of both HCRSP and Fall Creek Unit.