Pirate's Cove

At first blush, this may seem a little shocking, but, considering the lies, exaggerations, and attempts to steal money from Peter to pay Paul destroy economies, not so much

Psychologists in Canada have revealed new research suggesting that people who become eco-conscious “green consumers” are “more likely to steal and lie” than others.

The new study comes from professor Nina Mazar of the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and her colleague Chen-Bo Zhong.

“Those lyin’, cheatin’ green consumers,” begins the statement from the university. “Buying products that claim to be made with low environmental impact can set up ‘moral credentials’ in people’s minds that give license to selfish or questionable behavior.”

This is a true shame. Conserving and preserving the environment is a worthy goal. Unfortunately, the environmental movement was hijacked by extremists and has been subsumed into the climate alarmist idiocy.

Mazar and Zhong’s paper can be read in full online (pdf here). In it, the two psych eggheads write:

In line with the halo associated with green consumerism, people act more altruistically after mere exposure to green than conventional products. However, people act less altruistically and are more likely to cheat and steal after purchasing green products as opposed to conventional products… purchasing green products may produce the counterintuitive effect of licensing asocial and unethical behaviors by establishing moral credentials. Thus, green products do not necessarily make us better people.

Liars, cheaters, stealers, asocial, unethical. And let’s not forget holier-then-thou. Are you surprised?

Meanwhile, over at C3, “As of Sept. 30, 2009: For Past 11 Years, U.S. Cooling At A Minus 7.3°F Per Century Trend.”

Reuters: Few think climate change will hit them, kids.