The difference is, educated and rational people understand the gulf stream closing and it's implications. Those people are already on board and get it.

There are many people holding us back that don't get it and will hand wave this type of stuff away and continue holding their position. They'll come up with any excuse and reason they can, and it's easier to do so when it's something more abstract.

That's not as possible when it's "I can show you pictures of this or you can go there yourself and movies are already covering the effects." Things like New England not having snow for months is something literally every New Englander can look outside and see for themselves. It's way harder to argue against and will convince more people.

While you are right, that has been the case for a long time and we need to get more people on board. It's not one or the other, and we need to broaden the approach or this is going to continue being the educated minority vs the uneducated majority and it will continue to not change.