Environmental Writing Fall 2012 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 5th Period 84.9 9.1 6.1

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 5th Period 78.8 15.1

5 12

6.1

*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 happening There is a lot of disagreement among scientists about whether or not global warming is happening Most scientists think that global warming is not happening Dont know enough to say* *Not an option on our version of the survey. 35 5th Period 18.2

41

75.7

3 21

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 5th Period 9.1 18.2 39.4 0 3.0 30.3

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 5th Period 15.1 57.6 18.2 9.1

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 5th Period 0 9.1 3.0

18

15.1

9 3 4

15.1 0 6.1

4 7 1

3.0 9.1 3.0

11

12.1

11 5

18.2 6.1

*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 5th Period 6.1 36.4 54.5 3.0

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 5th Period 27.3 51.5 21.2 0

How much do you trust or distrust the following as a source of information? Climate scientists General Public 22 52 17 9 5th Period 48.5 48.5 3.0 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

5th Period 6.1 72.8 21.2 0

Television weather reporters General Public 6 56 25 13 5th Period 6.1 30.3 54.5 9.1

Strongly trust Somewhat trust Somewhat distrust Strongly distrust The mainstream news media

Strongly trust Somewhat trust Somewhat distrust Strongly distrust

General Public 3 40 31 26

5th Period 0 15.1 36.4 48.5

How much do you agree with the following statement? I could easily change my mind about global warming. General Public 3 35 26 36 5th Period 27.3 51.5 15.1 6.1

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree

How much do you trust or distrust the following as a source of information? President Obama General Public 12 35 23 30 5th Period 15.1 45.4 24.2 15.1

Strongly trust Somewhat trust Somewhat distrust Strongly distrust

Mitt Romney (Republican Candidate for President) General Public 2 19 39 39 5th Period 0 42.4 39.4 18.2

Strongly trust Somewhat trust Somewhat distrust Strongly distrust

Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a . . .* General Public 25 32 23 3 17 5th Period 30.3 33.3 15.1 3.0 18.2

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

Do you consider yourself a member of the Tea Party movement or not?* General Public 10 68 22 5th Period 18.2 81.8 -**

Yes No Dont Know

*Question and public responses taken from the report Global Warmings Six Americas in May 2011, also from the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication ** Not an option on our version of the survey

How much had you thought about global warming before today? General Public 15 30 39 16 5th Period 18.2 42.4 30.3 9.1

A lot Some A little Not at all