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Climate Change in the American Mind: October 2015


Appendix I: Data Tables

(Base: Americans 18+)

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?

Oct

2015
March
2015
Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
Sept
2012
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Yes67636664636370666364615771
No16181619231612141718182010
Don’t know18191817142018202018212319

(Base: Americans 18+ who say global warming is happening)

How sure are you that global warming is happening?

Oct
2015
March
2015
Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
Sept
2012
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(899)(793)(815)(649)(521)(674)(722)(658)(619)(614)(622)(558)(1,745)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Extremely sure28272430272727192221202435
Very sure32323532313330343533373537
Somewhat sure37383833393740423940403724
Not at all sure3345343556354

(Base: Americans 18+ who say global warming is not happening)

How sure are you that global warming is not happening?

Oct 2015March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
Sept
2012
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(215)(251)(228)(196)(179)(164)(160)(156)(175)(188)(199)(227)(301)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Extremely sure21212315201815152121202826
Very sure32313026362827413731313128
Somewhat sure36373547364245353738443438
Not at all sure12111112912138511478

(Base: Americans 18+)

Assuming global warming is happening, do you think it is…

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Caused mostly by human activities53525152465054465047504757
Caused mostly by natural changes in the environment33323334353332373335353632
Neither because global warming isn’t happening81098887588694
Other (please specify), caused by human activities and natural changes5565975968765
Other (please specify), unclassified1211321221111

(Base: Americans 18+)

To the best of your knowledge, what percentage of climate scientists think that human-caused global warming is happening? Please click on the slider bar below to indicate your answer. You can slide the indicator to the position that best describes your opinion. If the indicator does not work, you can enter a number in the number box.

Oct
2015
March
2015
Oct
2014
(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)
%%%
Of those who provided a rating:
Mean676465
Median746867
Percent who did not provide a rating (Don’t know/Refused)273230

(Base: Americans 18+)

How worried are you about global warming?

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Extremely important76588866676511
Very important18151617141317141315181521
Somewhat important37353738333636414138393840
Not too important21242421262424232525242318
Not at all important17201816191817161514142011

(Base: Americans 18+)

How strongly do you feel each of the following emotions when you think about the issue of global warming?

Oct 2015 (unweighted base, 1,330)VeryModeratelyNot veryNot at allRefused
Interested%234319141
Helpless%143925211
Hopeful%113932171

(Base: Americans 18+)

When do you think global warming will start to harm people in the United States?

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
They are being harmed right now34323332343436303032292534
In 10 years1311109101113121012121213
In 25 years14131414141211141313121413
In 50 years11111215111212141512131313
In 100 years11131314121313151511151312
Never18201816181715161620192315

(Base: Americans 18+)

How much do you think global warming will harm…?

You personally

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
A great deal1410121313151611911101410
A moderate amount27262425252526182118212322
Only a little26262626272625302828272224
Not at all20252725262320292525243122
Don’t know1213111181113111718181123

People in the United States

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
A great deal23192323232226181516162221
A moderate amount34303030303031282926282928
Only a little18202018191917242323221615
Not at all14171718201612181717172214
Don’t know1214111181213121618181222

(Base: Americans 18+)

How much do you think global warming will harm…? (Cont’d.)

People in developing countries

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
A great deal34272931323035262223222931
A moderate amount27262624242529262822282522
Only a little13171617171810191720171411
Not at all13151716191311161517151913
Don’t know1315121291315141819181324

Future generations of people

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
A great deal51424649464247434037394244
A moderate amount19211818192121222222222217
Only a little8101110111291213101197
Not at all1112131215128111012121510
Don’t know1115131191214131619161222

(Base: Americans 18+)

How much do you think global warming will harm…? (Cont’d.)

The world’s poor

Oct
2015
March 2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
A great deal3630
A moderate amount2623
Only a little1216
Not at all1316
Don’t know1315

The natural environment

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Humans can reduce global warming, and we are going to do so successfully46765354455106
Humans could reduce global warming, but it’s unclear at this point whether we will do what’s needed42464442404549464741474551
Humans could reduce global warming, but people aren’t willing to change their behavior, so we’re not going to26242225252422212525211722
Humans can’t reduce global warming, even if it is happening18121716161615201518181516
Global warming isn’t happening9131010131189101110135

(Base: Americans 18+)

How often do you discuss global warming with your family and friends?

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Often5334343544565
Occasionally30232428232826242626302935
Rarely33383639393938403941393433
Never32363729342834302928253026

(Base: Americans 18+)

Do you think each of the following should be doing more or less to address global warming?

The U.S. Congress

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Much more25262125262524232019191926
More34333631263236353538353541
Currently doing the right amount21232324262022212520262320
Less109108911812111110106
Much less10911101310998129157

President Obama

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008+
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Much more16181618181818191919201728
More33343431283435353335323338
Currently doing the right amount28262629312429252822302621
Less108977127101010996
Much less1313131314121011111410157

President George W. Bush

(Base: Americans 18+)

Do you think each of the following should be doing more or less to address global warming?(Cont’d.)

Corporations and industry

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Much more39383536403939403734383341
More33303230253132303031283132
Currently doing the right amount16202020201818182018222117
Less6656556768775
Much less7677855569696

Citizens themselves

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Much more24252323272425272628312730
More43393942343941403935333642
Currently doing the right amount20232322232523222421242320
Less7666665769775
Much less5786854567585

(Base: Americans 18+)

Do you think each of the following should be doing more or less to address global warming?(Cont’d.)

The United States

Oct
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)
%
Much more26
More39
Currently doing the right amount22
Less6
Much less7

(Base: Americans 18+)

People disagree whether the United States should reduce greenhouse gas emissions on its own, or make reductions only if other countries do so. Which of the following statements comes closest to your own point of view? The United States should reduce its greenhouse gas emissions…

Oct
2015
March 2015Oct
2014
April
2014
Nov
2013
April
2013
Sept
2012
March 2012Nov 2011May

2011
June 2010Jan 2010Nov 2008
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)(1,275)(1,013)(830)(1,045)(1,061)(1,008)(1,000)(1,010)(1,024)(1,001)(2,164)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Regardless of what other countries do62565758605961636061655767
Only if other industrialized countries (such as England, Germany, and Japan) reduce their emissions2433432333332
Only if other industrialized countries and developing countries (such as China, India, and Brazil) reduce their emissions9899877878877
The U.S. should not reduce its emissions6666666556574
Don’t know/Refused21262423222525212523192520

(Base: Americans 18+)

Over the past year, have you changed your opinion about global warming?

Oct
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)
%
Yes4
No85
Not sure11
Refused*

(Base: Americans 18+)

In your opinion, do you think global warming is…

(If “yes”) Do you think global warming is a major or minor…

An environmental issue

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes7876
Major6968
Minor88
No1111
Not sure1112
No answer11

A moral issue

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes4135
Major2421
Minor1714
No3944
Not sure1919
No answer12

A religious issue

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes1210
Major76
Minor54
No6771
Not sure2018
No answer12

(Base: Americans 18+)

In your opinion, do you think global warming is… (Cont’d.)

(If “yes”) Do you think global warming is a major or minor… (Cont’d.)

 A spiritual issue

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes1513
Major87
Minor76
No6265
Not sure2220
No answer12

A social justice (fairness issue)

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes2723
Major1715
Minor119
No4653
Not sure2522
No answer12

A political issue

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes5654
Major3937
Minor1617
No2627
Not sure1717
No answer12

(Base: Americans 18+)

In your opinion, do you think global warming is… (Cont’d.)

(If “yes”) Do you think global warming is a major or minor… (Cont’d.)

A scientific issue

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes7371
Major6260
Minor1011
No1313
Not sure1415
No answer12

A health issue

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes6258
Major4944
Minor1314
No2124
Not sure1617
No answer12

A lifestyle issue

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes5856
Major3738
Minor2118
No2426
Not sure1716
No answer12

(Base: Americans 18+)

In your opinion, do you think global warming is… (Cont’d.)

(If “yes”) Do you think global warming is a major or minor… (Cont’d.)

An economic issue

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes6360
Major4746
Minor1614
No1922
Not sure1716
No answer12

A national security issue

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes2326
Major1416
Minor99
No5053
Not sure2620
No answer11

An agricultural (farming, food) issue

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes6564
Major5655
Minor99
No1719
Not sure1616
No answer12

(Base: Americans 18+)

In your opinion, do you think global warming is… (Cont’d.)

(If “yes”) Do you think global warming is a major or minor… (Cont’d.)

A poverty issue

Oct
2015
March
2015
(Unweighted base)(1,330)(1,263)
%%
Yes2624
Major1716
Minor98
No5053
Not sure2421
No answer12

(Base: Americans 18+)

If our nation takes steps to reduce global warming it will…

Oct 2015 (unweighted base, 1,330)Strongly agreeModerately agreeNeither agree nor disagreeModerately disagreeStrongly disagreeDon't knowPrefer not to answer
Provide a better life for our children and grandchildren%3429174683
Improve people’s health%2632205583
Save many plant and animal species from extinction%2531205793
Cause energy prices to rise%20312465113
Protect God’s creation%222223410107
Save many people around the world from poverty and starvation%1217301013143
Cost jobs and harm our economy%1314271516123
Interfere with the free market%1015311213173
Harm poor people more than it helps them%911271622133

(Base: Americans 18+)

How much do you trust or distrust Pope Francis as a source of information about global warming?

Oct 2015March 2015
CatholicsNon-CatholicsTotal AmericansCatholicsNon-CatholicsTotal Americans
(Unweighted base)(293)(1,037)(1,330)(299)(964)(1,263)
%%%%%%
Strongly trust271014211012
Somewhat trust494646463739
Somewhat distrust162322213028
Strongly distrust7191692017

(Base: Americans 18+)

How much impact, if any, has the Pope’s position on global warming had on your own views about global warming?

CatholicsNon-CatholicsTotal Americans
(Unweighted base)(293)(1,037)(1,330)
%%%
A lot923
Some1135
A little1389
None at all547167
Not sure131515

(Base: Americans 18+ who say the Pope’s position on global warming had a lot/some/a little impact on their own views)

Has the Pope’s position on global warming made you…?

CatholicsNon-CatholicsTotal Americans
(Unweighted base)(293)(1,037)(1,330)
%%%
Much more concerned about global warming923
Moderately more concerned about global warming1045
Neither more nor less concerned about global warming1178
Moderately less concerned about global warming111
Much less concerned about global warming------

(Base: Americans 18+)

In your opinion, do you think global warming is…

(If “yes”) Do you think global warming is a major or minor…

A moral issue

Oct 2015March 2015
CatholicsNon-CatholicsTotal AmericansCatholicsNon-CatholicsTotal Americans
(Unweighted base)(293)(1,037)(1,330)(299)(964)(1,263)
%%%%%%
Yes464041363535
Major252424222021
Minor201617141414
No413939454444
Not sure132019171919
No answer021222

A social justice (fairness) issue

Oct 2015March 2015
CatholicsNon-CatholicsTotal AmericansCatholicsNon-CatholicsTotal Americans
(Unweighted base)(293)(1,037)(1,330)(299)(964)(1,263)
%%%%%%
Yes332627232423
Major191617151415
Minor141011799
No464646535353
Not sure202725232222
No answer*11122

A poverty issue

Oct 2015March 2015
CatholicsNon-CatholicsTotal AmericansCatholicsNon-CatholicsTotal Americans
(Unweighted base)(293)(1,037)(1,330)(299)(964)(1,263)
%%%%%%
Yes292526222424
Major211617141616
Minor899888
No544950565353
Not sure172624212121
No answer*11122