The polar icecaps are melting. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is on a steep rise. But more Americans now doubt global warming, according to a Pew Research study.
Fifty-seven percent of Americans believe there is no conclusive evidence that temperatures on earth have been rising over the past few decades, according to the poll conducted in late September and early October. That is down from 71 percent in April 2008.
Source: Pew Research
What’s more, fewer Americans now believe human activity, including the burning of fossil fuels, plays a role in climate change. Only 36 percent say so, compared with 47 percent last year.
The increasing misperceptions are a worrisome trend as the United States tries to reach a consensus on measures to stem the accumulation of greenhouse gases and arrest a steady rise in global temperatures. While global warming is a complex topic, its causes are fairly well established and include the burning of fossil fuels, such as oil, in cars, power plants and homes.
According to the study, Republicans are mostly likely to disbelieve global warming. Only 35 percent see solid evidence of rising temperatures; 62 percent did in 2007. Support among independents also has fallen, to 53 percent from 79 percent last year.
Views among Democrats have been more stable. Three quarters believe in climate change today compared with 83 percent last year.
Yet, the study isn’t all bad news for planet earth. Half of Americans favor setting limits on carbon emissions and support requiring companies to pay for theirs, the concept behind the cap-and-trade legislation before Congress.
Similarly, 56 percent think the United States should join other countries in setting emission standards – the goal of the Copenhagen talks set to begin in December.
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