Do you think that global warming is happening?
Yes………………. 70%
No……………….. 11%
Don’t know…… 18%
Assuming global warming is happening, do you think it is…
Caused mostly by human activities………………………………………. 53%
Caused mostly by natural changes in the environment…………… 34%
Other/Don’t Know……………………………………………………………… 7%
None of the above because global warming isn’t happening……. 7%
Which comes closest to your own view?
Most scientists think global warming is happening……. 48%
There is a lot of disagreement among scientists about whether or not global warming is happening……. 28%
Most scientists think global warming is not happening……. 3%
Don’t know enough to say……. 21%
How worried are you about global warming?
Very worried……. 16%
Somewhat worried……. 42%
Not very worried……. 25%
Not at all worried……. 18%
How much do you think global warming will harm:
Plant and animal species
A great deal……. 48%
A moderate amount……. 23%
Only a little……. 9%
Not at all……. 11%
Don’t know……. 10%
Future generations of people
A great deal……. 48%
A moderate amount……. 22%
Only a little……. 8%
Not at all……. 10%
Don’t know……. 11%
How much do you support or oppose the following policy?
Fund more research into renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
Strongly support……. 40%
Somewhat support……. 42%
Somewhat oppose……. 10%
Strongly oppose……. 7%
Set strict carbon dioxide emission limits on existing coal-fired power plants to reduce global warming and improve public health.
Strongly support……. 24%
Somewhat support……. 45%
Somewhat oppose……. 19%
Strongly oppose……. 11%
All survey results are based on a nationally representative sample of American adults conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication from March 18-31, 2016.
Check out our short stories on Climate Connections to learn more about climate impacts and solutions.
Visit the Yale Climate Opinion maps to see how Americans’ attitudes to global warming vary by state.