More Than Half of Americans Flunk Basic Global Warming Quiz

It’s official: When it comes to climate change, Americans don’t know nuthin’.

So suggests a recently released Yale University study, which reveals—among other things—that 43 percent of the U.S. population isn’t aware that the greenhouse effect has to do with heat-trapping gases; a majority believes aerosol spray cans, the sun and acid rain contribute to global warming; and more than a quarter believe wood is a fossil fuel. Overall, only 8 percent of respondents knew enough about global warming to warrant an A or B grade, while 52 percent flat-out flunked.

What’s the cause of these head-slappers? The obvious answer is a lack of education about what the heck is happening to our environment. This isn’t to say there isn’t rhetoric about global warming—just that the rhetoric is so dumbed-down and distilled that the incredible nuance of this scientific phenomenon has flown over Americans’ heads. The two biggest culprits, of course, are politicians and the media, both of whom love to turn science into drama; complex findings into headline-grabbing one-liners (as a blogger, I admit I battle with these tendencies as well). And at least in the case of politicians, I would say there is, at times, a deliberate manipulation of the public’s know-nothingness, in order to peddle for Big Oil funders who benefit richly from our willingness to come along with charade.

An example of this: The report notes that a large majority of Americans, 67 percent, believe the climate has always shifted gradually between warm and cold periods. This sentiment echoes the much-publicized battle cry of climate change foes—“This has been happening for years! It’s not a big deal at all!” As the Yale study says, this is scientifically incorrect. But it’s also dangerous, since it negates a very real issue to millions of Americans who absolutely need to engage.

That said, the report isn’t entirely doom-and-gloom. On some fronts, Americans are at least adequately informed; for example, a full 83 percent correctly understand that weather changes year to year, and 74 percent know that “climate” means the average weather conditions in a region—not, as some politicians have said, weather itself.

It’s also slightly encouraging to learn that 63 percent of Americans understand global warming is happening. Yes, this figure should be much higher, but it at least trumps the 19 percent who stubbornly refuse to believe it exists.

Most encouragingly, the report reveals that Americans want to know more—meaning this ignorance isn’t bliss. While only 1 in 10 consider themselves “very well informed” about climate change, 75 percent say they want to up their knowledge. The same share believes school should teach children about climate change (take that, Tea Partiers), and 68 percent are amenable to the idea of a national program to educate Americans about the issue.

This openness to learn more is the least stupid thing in the report. And as environmentalists, we'd be stupid not to capitalize on it.

A necessary step to improving the public's understanding of climate change is for politicians to set the tone—and stop creating climate conspiracies where there are none. You can sign this petition below to tell a key House Republican to stop doing just that.

Photo credit: Pablo Costa/Picasa

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