Agree. There is however one additional aspect I would add to this discussion: I call it functional denial. It refers to the many people I know who accept the reality of anthropogenic climate disruption BUT have zero intention of making any significant changes to their own lifestyle in response. Most of my acquaintances fall into this category. They know perfectly well what's happening - but are still planning their next flying holiday or road-trip. If climate comes up in conversation, there's an uncomfortable pause followed by a rapid change of subject.

Possibly the most cogent comment I've seen was in an essay by Maggie Gee, in the history of the U.K. Royal Society entitled “Seeing Further” (Bill Bryson Ed., HarperCollins, 2010):

“Polls show that a majority of people.....believe global warming is a fact, and yet somehow they don’t believe it will really affect their lives, and they certainly don’t intend to change their own lives radically to help stop it happening.

‘Global warming is a problem – but not yet, O Lord, please’ is their unconscious prayer. Folk who DO take global warming seriously are thought slightly mad, or over-intense, unlike the sensible majority who just somehow know things will always go on as they do today….

…it’s like religion: don’t bring it up. Belief seems like a claim to virtue, a holier-than-thou-ness which will annoy others. Easier to carry on as usual…”