Public Belief In Climate Change Starting to Rise

According to two important reports that came out this week public opinion is finally rising again after a year of decline.

Climate Change in the American Mind: Americans' Global Warming Beliefs and Attitudes in June 2010
Climate Change in the American Mind: Public Support for Climate  & Energy Policies in June 2010

To some extent this rise is a reaction to the oil spill in the gulf. The reports also point to a strengthening economy, consumer confidence and a winter of unusual weather as other likely reasons public opinion is on the rise.

This is fascinating reading, and an easy read. You may find some of the findings very surprising, and also what you would expect with respect to protecting our environment and regulating carbon.

In their own words:

Americans who said President Obama and Congress should make developing sources of clean energy a high priority increased 11 points, to 71 percent, while those who said that global warming should be a high priority rose six points, to 44 percent. In a seven-point increase since January, 69 percent of Americans said that the United States should make a large or medium-scale effort to reduce global warming even if it incurs large or moderate economic costs.

This study was conducted by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication and the George
Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, and was funded by the Surdna
Foundation, the Eleventh Hour Project, the Pacific Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation.

Rate and Share
Rate		0 points	Share		Subscribe