New Poll: Fewer Believe Climate Change Is a Serious Problem
Jane Van Ryan
Posted December 4, 2009
The Harris Poll this week released the results of a survey showing that those who believe the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) is affecting the climate has dropped from 71 percent two years ago to only 51 percent now.
The survey, conducted online between Nov. 2-11 by Harris Interactive, also shows that the percentage of respondents who do not believe that carbon dioxide emissions will cause global warming has increased from 23 percent to 29 percent since 2007.
"The sharp drop in those who believe that greenhouse emissions will cause global warming will make it harder for leaders to introduce new policies to promote alternative energy sources and reduce our carbon footprint," says the news release. It adds that sharp differences between the attitudes of Democrats and Republicans also will make it difficult to develop new bipartisan energy policies.
The poll shows that 73 percent of Democrats believe that GHGs cause climate change, but only 28 percent of Republicans and 49 percent of Independents share their view. Furthermore, 63 percent of Democrats but only 17 percent of Republicans and 38 percent of Independents believe climate change should be treated as a very serious problem.