Zaap isn't a simpleton. None of the climate deniers here are. Every time there is a contest of any kind the conservative brain latches onto whatever conclusion may have political ramifications that relate to some political position favorable to their side. Conservative brain is fear avoidance amplified and the notion of change is all it takes to switch on its paranoia suppression mode. The terror they fear is that climate change will drain their wallets with more liberal generated government bureaucracy and the implications for lifestyle change. It's better to bury ones head in the sand and pretend things will always be the same than that feel ones beliefs are in part responsible for a disaster that will bring greater misery to the humans all over the planet.
Naturally, they won't want to see the real motivation, the mechanically simplistic nature of what drives them, because its profoundly humiliating to anybody who imagines him or herself capable of responsible behavior, so what you will see instead is complex and ornate rationalizations they can pass off as rationality.
One of the great features of being a conformist in a privileged society, is the gift it gives to the ego. Particularly, I you are white and male and well connected and talented in a limited range of abilities, you can build your own air conditioned tower. Who would trade their ego gratifications for other people? Have you ever considered how much of real life a person gives up to get there?