How much of a problem is Global Warming? If a recent survey is to be believed, then it doesn’t bother some of us as much as it used to.
According to the latest national survey by the Pew Research Centre for the People & the Press, only 57 per cent of Americans said that there is solid evidence that global temperatures are rising – that’s down from 71 per cent in 2008. What’s more is that only 35 per cent see global warming as a very serious problem – down from 44 per cent in April, 2008.
The survey was conducted among 1,500 adults and found that just 36 per cent believe global temperatures are rising as a result of human activity such as burning fossil fuels – that’s down from 47 per cent last year.
So is this downturn in belief politically based?
Well, according to the survey just 53 per cent of independents now see solid evidence of global warming compared to 75 per cent in April, 2008. Republicans have always been highly sceptical of global warming and have now become even more so with only 35 per cent saying they now see solid evidence of rising temperatures, down from 49 per cent in 2008. Belief among Democrats has also fallen but remains high overall – 75 per cent today compared with 83 per cent last year.
Despite these questions, the survey found that there is still more support than opposition for a policy that sets limits on carbon emissions with half of Americans favouring limits on carbon emissions even if this may lead to higher energy prices. However, the issue has not sunk in with the public at large with just 14 per cent saying they have heard of the cap-and-trade policy that would set carbon dioxide emission limits.
What do you think of these trends? How much of a concern is global warming in your opinion? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
