Belief In Global Warming Hits New Low

According to a just-released Gallup poll, more Americans doubt the existence and dangers of climate change than at any time in recent history. Some of the shocking results from the new survey:

• More and more Americans believe the effects of climate change have been exaggerated. In 1997, 31 percent of respondents did, and in 2009, 41 percent. This year, the share rose again to 48 percent.
• In 1997, just under 10 percent of respondents said they believed the effects of global warming would never come to pass. This year — despite measurable changes in the climate — nearly 20 percent said major changes would never happen.
• In recent years, 65 percent of Americans believed scientists thought global warming was occurring. Today, just half do.

What happened? And what can we do about it?

You have to admit, it's been a rough few months for climate change activists. First there was Climategate, an e-mail snafu that spiraled into one of the most highly-publicized global warming stories ever. Then came Snowpocalypse, a surprisingly successful attempt by politicians to use record snow as proof that the earth wasn't warming (never mind that climate scientists had actually predicted occasional dramatic snows as the result of a warming ocean.)

At every turn, "experts" supported by places like the Heartland Institute — a major recipient of Exxon money — have stopped at nothing to perpetuate the idea that scientists either don't believe in global warming or shouldn't be trusted. And their work has been backed up by Republican politicians like Sarah Palin and James Inhofe, who have enormous sway over their constituents and party line.

But while it's easy to get discouraged about the shifting debate, it's important to remember that believers have something the skeptics don't: Evidence. While it's true that a handful scientists are skeptical about the effects of global warming, that number is nothing next to those who believe it is occurring and dangerous. Check out the chart here to get a sense of how many more scientists believe in climate change than don't.

There's also the evidence of climate-related events already happening, like the submergence of Tuvalu, whose residents are the world's first climate refugees; the incredible acceleration of melting ice caps; and an endangered species rate that is at least 100 to 1,000 times higher than normal.

Right now, it seems, denialists are doing a good job winning the minds of the public. It's up to those who believe in the dangers of climate change to win those minds back—so next year's poll produces much different results. Chances are, an upswing in the economy would also put a renewed spotlight on the climate.

Chart: Gallup website