An identity is formed due to various different contributing factors that

range from the beliefs of the tribe a persons family associated itself
early in the persons life affects the person rather strongly and that
forms the base towards or away from which the other factors move the
person. The mimicry of the favored aspects of identity is very natural
and a major factor in forming identity as the person grows. It is the
part of the identity that helps the person decide and conform to the
identities he wants to associate himself with. The confirmation is rather
ever changing and cannot be in one direction at all times as with time
and socialization the person is exposed to new ideas and identities
which he/she are likely to adopt or oppose based on their current
identity.
I believe a persons identity consists of a large spectrum of
associations and some are much more strongly inculcated than others,
based on the strength of the association the changes in identity are
more or less likely to occur. It also depends on the strength of the
identity that confronts him and how the persons tribe reacts to it that
affects the change in identity.
As George Marshall says it is hard to propose climate change to
conservative people as they associate it with a liberal issue, and as
climate change is a slow and not a very distinctive issue in everyday
life it isnt a strong identity changer. Incidents like 9/11 have changed
identities of some people very drastically as it was an issue that was
very sudden and the affects of it were seen by them suddenly and they
werent given enough time to cope with the changes in lifestyle.