2006-07-11-皮尤-Little_Consensus_on_Global_Warming_11页_40kb

Introduction and Summary of Beliefs: The Pew Research Center survey finds that Americans are deeply polarized on global warming, with partisanship driving most opinions. While 70% believe there is solid evidence of the earth warming, views on causes and seriousness vary. Democrats are more likely to attribute it to human activity (54%) and see it as very serious (41% very serious), while Republicans show less concern.

Key Opinions: Roughly 41% of Americans say human activity like burning fossil fuels causes global warming, compared to 21% who blame natural patterns, and 20% who deny solid evidence. Americans rank global warming as a relatively low priority, with only 23% rating it as a very important issue, lower than concerns about the economy, terrorism, or healthcare.

Political Divisions: Democrats and independents more strongly believe in human causation and seriousness, while Republicans show skepticism. For instance, Democrats are twice as likely as Republicans to see it as a very serious problem (54% vs. 24%). Independents align with Democrats on these views.

Demographics and Comparisons: There is little variation in opinions across age, gender, education, or income groups. Globally, Americans express less concern than citizens in other industrialized nations, such as China (20%) or Great Britain (26%).

Seriousness and Solutions: Only 41% rate it as very serious, and beliefs in evidence and causes strongly link to seriousness views. For example, two-thirds of those who believe human activity caused warming rate it as very serious. However, many, including these supporters, think solving it requires major sacrifices, though 49% of those seeing human causation believe solutions are possible through effort.

Public Priority and Media: Global warming ranks low among policy issues, trailing behind top priorities like education (82% very important) or Iraq war (72% concerned). President George W. Bush's handling has low approval ratings (26% approve), and skepticism extends to how his administration deals with the issue.

Methodology: Data from June 14-19, 2006, based on 1,501 U.S. adults with a 3% sampling error margin. The Center's independent research explores public opinion on various issues.