Relationship between liberal economic thought and the denial of anthropogenic climate change

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between liberal/libertarian economic thought and the denial of anthropogenic climate change. The introduction outlines the problem of rejecting the scientific evidence of global warming, while the objective is to analyze how specific ideological stances and funding—especially from the fossil fuel industry—impact the spread of denialist discourses. The methodology relies on a literature review and a comparative analysis of arguments, drawing on the positions of Austrian economists and prominent figures such as Ron Paul, Javier Milei, and Jesús Huerta de Soto. The theoretical approach is based on the principles of economic liberalism and the Austrian School, contrasted with the scientific consensus on climate change. The results reveal a tendency to minimize or question the reality of climate change, linked to economic interests and the financing of denialist think tanks. In conclusion, a correlation is confirmed between certain liberal ideologies and climate change denial, recommending further multidisciplinary research and the promotion of evidence-based policies to effectively address the climate crisis.