Model estimates in the maps were derived from public responses to the following survey questions. The response categories for many questions were collapsed into a single variable for mapping. For example, for the question measuring how worried respondents are about global warming, “very worried” and “somewhat worried” were combined into a single measure of “worried.” Likewise “Not very worried” and “Not at all worried” were combined into a single measure of “not worried.” The responses below are color coded to indicate how they were grouped into the variables shown on the maps. Individuals who responded “Don’t know” or who did not answer the question were not modeled separately and appear as gray segments within the bar charts.
BELIEFS
Global warming is happening Recently, you may have noticed that global warming has been getting some attention in the news. Global warming refers to the idea that the world’s average temperature has been increasing over the past 150 years, may be increasing more in the future, and that the world’s climate may change as a result. What do you think: Do you think that global warming is happening?
Global warming is caused mostly by human activities Assuming global warming is happening, do you think it is… ?
- Caused mostly by human activities
- Caused mostly by natural changes in the environment
- Other
- None of the above because global warming isn’t happening
Most scientists think global warming is happening Which comes closest to your own view?
- 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 global warming is not happening
- Don’t know enough to say
Trust climate scientists about global warming How much do you trust or distrust climate scientists as a source of information about global warming?
- Strongly trust
- Somewhat trust
- Somewhat distrust
- Strongly distrust
RISK PERCEPTIONS
Worried about global warming How worried are you about global warming?
- Very worried
- Somewhat worried
- Not very worried
- Not at all worried
Global warming is already harming people in the US When do you think global warming will start to harm people in the United States?
- They are being harmed right now
- In 10 years
- In 25 years
- In 50 years
- In 100 years
- Never
Global warming will harm me personally How much do you think global warming will harm you personally?
- Not at all
- Only a little
- A moderate amount
- A great deal
- Don’t know
Global warming will harm people in the US How much do you think global warming will harm people in the United States?
- Not at all
- Only a little
- A moderate amount
- A great deal
- Don’t know
Global warming will harm people in developing countries How much do you think global warming will harm people in developing countries?
- Not at all
- Only a little
- A moderate amount
- A great deal
- Don’t know
Global warming will harm future generations How much do you think global warming will harm future generations of people?
- Not at all
- Only a little
- A moderate amount
- A great deal
- Don’t know
Global warming will harm plants and animals How much do you think global warming will harm plants and animal species?
- Not at all
- Only a little
- A moderate amount
- A great deal
- Don’t know
POLICY SUPPORT
- Fund research into renewable energy sources
- How much do you support or oppose the following policies? Fund more research into renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power
- Strongly support
- Somewhat support
- Somewhat oppose
- Strongly oppose
Regulate CO2 as a pollutant How much do you support or oppose the following policies? Regulate carbon dioxide (the primary greenhouse gas) as a pollutant
- Strongly support
- Somewhat support
- Somewhat oppose
- Strongly oppose
Set strict CO2 limits on existing coal-fired power plants How much do you support or oppose the following policy? Set strict carbon dioxide emission limits on existing coal-fired power plants to reduce global warming and improve public health. Power plants would have to reduce their emissions and/or invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The cost of electricity to consumers and companies would likely increase.
- Strongly support
- Somewhat support
- Somewhat oppose
- Strongly oppose
Require utilities to produce 20% electricity from renewable sources How much do you support or oppose the following policies? Require electric utilities to produce at least 20% of their electricity from wind, solar, or other renewable energy sources, even if it costs the average household an extra $100 a year
- Strongly support
- Somewhat support
- Somewhat oppose
- Strongly oppose