Environmental Writing Spring 2014 Start-of-Semester Survey

Unless otherwise noted, all questions and public responses taken from the report Climate Change in the American Mind: Americans Global Warming Beliefs and Attitudes in March 2012 from the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication Recently, you may have noticed that global warming has been getting some attention in the news. Global warming refers to the idea that the worlds average temperature has been increasing over the past 150 years, may be increasing more in the future, and that the worlds climate may change as a result. What do you think? Do you think that global warming is happening? General Public 66 14 20 2012 students 84.9 9.1 6.1 2014 students 82.1 14.3 3.6

Yes No Dont Know

Assuming global warming is happening, do you think it is General Public Caused mostly by human activities Caused mostly by natural changes in the environment None of the above because global warming isnt happening Other* 46 37 2012 students 78.8 15.1 2014 85.7 3.6

5 12

6.1

10.7

*The Yale study allowed participants to volunteer other answers. 9% cited both human and natural factors.

Which comes closer to your own view? General Public Most scientists think global warming is 35 happening There is a lot of disagreement among scientists about 41 whether or not global warming is happening Most scientists think that global warming 3 is not happening Dont know enough 21 to say* *Not an option on our version of the survey. 2012 students 18.2 2014 35.7

75.7

64.3

6.1

To the best of your knowledge, what proportion of climate scientists think that global warming is happening?* General Public 13 19 23 12 3 30 2012 students 9.1 18.2 39.4 0 3.0 30.3 2014 10.7 46.4 7.1 3.6 0 32.1

81 to 100% 61 to 80% 41 to 60% 21 to 40% 0 to 20% Dont know enough to say

*Question and public responses taken from the report Global Warmings Six Americas in May 2011, also from the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication

How worried are you about global warming? General Public 11 43 30 16 2012 students 15.1 57.6 18.2 9.1 Spring 2014 10.7 32.1 46.4 10.7

Very worried Somewhat worried Not very worried Not at all worried

If you could ask an expert on global warming ONLY ONE QUESTION, which question would you ask?* General Public Is global warming really happening? How do you know that global warming is happening? What causes global warming? How do you know that global warming is caused mostly by human activities, not natural changes in the environment? What harm will global warming cause? Will global warming harm people? When will global warming begin to harm people? What can the United States do to reduce global warming? What can I do to reduce global warming? How much would it cost the United States to reduce global warming? What can the nations of the world do to reduce global warming? Is there still time to reduce global warming, or is it too late? Is global warming a hoax? 10 11 7 2012 students 0 9.1 3.0 Spring 2014 10.7 7.1 0

18

15.1

7.1

9 3 4

15.1 0 6.1

21.4 7.1 0

3.0

7.1

9.1

3.6

3.0

11

12.1

3.6

11

18.2

6.1

3.6

*Question and public responses taken from the report Global Warmings Six Americas in May 2011, also from the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication

Personally, how well informed do you feel you are about global warming?* General Public 10 51 34 5 2012 students 6.1 36.4 54.5 3.0 Spring 2014 10.7 60.7 28.6 0

Very well informed Fairly well informed Not very well informed Not at all informed

*Question and public responses taken from the report Global Warmings Six Americas in May 2011, also from the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication

On some issues people feel that they have all the information they need in order to form a firm opinion, while on other issues they would like more information before making up their mind. For global warming, where would you place yourself? General Public I need a lot more information I need some more information I need a little more information I do not need any more information 19 28 23 30 2012 students 27.3 51.5 21.2 0 Spring 2014 10.7 67.9 10.7 10.7

How much do you trust or distrust the following as a source of information? Climate scientists General Public 22 52 17 9 2012 students 48.5 48.5 3.0 0 Spring 2014 57.1 39.3 3.6 0

Strongly trust Somewhat trust Somewhat distrust Strongly distrust Other kinds of scientists

Strongly trust Somewhat trust Somewhat distrust Strongly distrust

General Public 9 56 27 8

2012 students 6.1 72.8 21.2 0

Spring 2014 7.1 75.0 17.9 0

Television weather reporters General Public 6 56 25 13 2012 students 6.1 30.3 54.5 9.1 Spring 2014 3.6 32.1 50.0 14.3

Strongly trust Somewhat trust Somewhat distrust Strongly distrust

The mainstream news media General Public 3 40 31 26 2012 students 0 15.1 36.4 48.5 Spring 2014 3.6 14.3 50.0 32.1

Strongly trust Somewhat trust Somewhat distrust Strongly distrust

How much do you agree with the following statement? I could easily change my mind about global warming. General Public 3 35 26 36 2012 students 27.3 51.5 15.1 6.1 Spring 2014 17.9 57.1 14.3 10.7

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree

Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a . . .* General Public 25 32 23 3 17 2012 students 30.3 33.3 15.1 3.0 18.2 Spring 2014 25.0 32.1 14.3 0 28.6

Republican Democrat Independent Other No party/not interested in politics

*Question and public responses taken from the report Global Warmings Six Americas in May 2011, also from the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication

How much had you thought about global warming before today? General Public 15 30 39 16 2012 students 18.2 42.4 30.3 9.1 Spring 2014 7.1 50.0 32.1 10.7

A lot Some A little Not at all