National Survey on Global Warming
Summary of Findings: Feb. 27-March 2, 2006
Americans believe that global warming is probably happening and think it is caused by human activity, such as the burning of fossil fuels, according to a national survey of 1200 respondents, conducted February 27 through March 2, 2006. They also think it is possible to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released in the United States, and to reduce the effects of global warming. Moreover, they recognize that they, as individuals, can do something about global warming and are willing to take a wide variety of steps to save energy, from washing laundry in cold water to buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle.
1. Seven out of ten Americans surveyed believe that global warming is probably happening. Seventy-one percent say that global warming is probably happening, 6 percent believe it is probably not happening, and 23 percent are unsure. This includes an 81-to-3 percent margin among Democrats, a 75-to-4 percent margin among independents, and a 56-to-13 percent margin among Republicans.
2. Americans believe that global warming is due to human activity, rather than normal cycles in the Earth’s environment, by nearly a two-to-one margin. Fifty-three percent attribute global warming to human activity such as burning fossil fuels, while 29 percent attribute it to normal cycles in the Earth’s environment. Democrats and Independents believe that global warming is due to human activity by margins of 64 to 16 percent and 57 to 27 percent, respectively, while Republicans believe it is due to normal environmental cycles by a 47-to-37 percent margin.
3. Respondents overwhelmingly believe it is possible to reduce the effects of global warming. Seventy percent believe that it is possible to reduce the effects of global warming, while 20 percent believe that it is not possible. This includes a 78-to-13 percent margin among Democrats, a 71-to-20 percent margin among Independents, and a 61-to-28 percent margin among Republicans.
4. Respondents also overwhelmingly think it is possible to reduce greenhouse gases in the United States that are released by the burning of fossil fuels. Eighty percent think that it is possible to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases, while only 10 percent think that it is not possible. This includes an 83-to-9 percent margin among Democrats, an 83-to-11 percent margin among Independents, and a 76-to-13 percent margin among Republicans.
5. Three-fifths think it is possible that they as individuals can do something about global warming. Fifty-nine percent say it is possible for them to do something about global warming, while 32 percent say it is not possible. This includes a 66-to-25 percent margin among Democrats, a 62-to-32 percent margin among independents, and a 49-to-42 percent margin among Republicans.
6. Overwhelming majorities of respondents of all parties say they are willing to do a wide variety of things to save energy and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are being released by the burning of fossil fuels. Respondents overwhelmingly say they are willing to take a wide variety of actions to save energy, including “caulk around windows and doors” (95 percent), “recycle glass, cans, and newspapers” (94 percent), “combine driving trips when running errands” (91 percent), and “turn your thermostat down two degrees in winter and up two degrees in summer” (90 percent).