Skepticism of Global Warming Grows, But Majority Continue to Demand Action

by Mike Smith · 2009-10-22 09:58:00 UTC
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A new poll reveals Americans are increasingly skeptical that there is solid evidence of the earth warming. Fourteen percent fewer than last April. This despite world governments increasingly taking the advice of the world's best scientists to do something, and do something quickly.

Only 36 percent of those polled believe that human activity is to blame. The decline is true across all party lines. However, 57 percent still believe the evidence that earth is warming, and "a majority (56%) of Americans thinks the United States should join other countries in setting standards to address global climate change."

So why are people changing their minds on global warming? They could be sick of all the coverage that climate change is getting, or fear the cost of action. The fact that this a long emergency, one that won't have dramatic and immediately obvious effects in peoples' backyards like December heat-waves may cause some to question the evidence. But there may be other factors at play; Andrew Kohut from Pew explained to the WSJ "we have since the onset of the recession seen people giving lower priority to environmental issues."

A majority still demand action, and the people continue to give President Obama a clear message: Take action. Limit emissions.

Photo credit: James Jordan

Mike Smith
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