Climate Change in the American Mind Survey Question Wording

Model estimates in the maps were derived from public responses to the following survey questions. The response categories for many questions were collapsed into a single variable for mapping. For example, for the question measuring how worried respondents are about global warming, “very worried” and “somewhat worried” were combined into a single measure of “worried.” Likewise “Not very worried” and “Not at all worried” were combined into a single measure of “not worried.” The responses below are color coded to indicate how they were grouped into the variables shown on the maps. Individuals who responded “Don’t know” or who did not answer the question were not modeled separately and appear as gray segments within the bar charts.

BELIEFS

Global warming is happening Recently, you may have noticed that global warming has been getting some attention in the news. Global warming refers to the idea that the world’s average temperature has been increasing over the past 150 years, may be increasing more in the future, and that the world’s climate may change as a result. What do you think: Do you think that global warming is happening?

Yes

No

Don’t know

Global warming is caused mostly by human activities Assuming global warming is happening, do you think it is… ?

Caused mostly by human activities

Caused mostly by natural changes in the environment

Other

None of the above because global warming isn’t happening

Most scientists think global warming is happening Which comes closest to your own view?

Most scientists think global warming is happening

There is a lot of disagreement among scientists about whether or not global warming is happening

Most scientists think global warming is not happening

Don’t know enough to say

Trust climate scientists about global warming How much do you trust or distrust climate scientists as a source of information about global warming?

Strongly trust

Somewhat trust

Somewhat distrust

Strongly distrust

Schools should teach about global warming How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement…? Schools should teach our children about the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to global warming.

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

RISK PERCEPTIONS

Worried about global warming How worried are you about global warming?

Very worried

Somewhat worried

Not very worried

Not at all worried

Global warming is already harming people in the US When do you think global warming will start to harm people in the United States?

They are being harmed right now

In 10 years

In 25 years

In 50 years

In 100 years

Never

Global warming will harm me personally How much do you think global warming will harm you personally?

Not at all

Only a little

A moderate amount

A great deal

Don’t know

Global warming will harm people in the US How much do you think global warming will harm people in the United States?

Not at all

Only a little

A moderate amount

A great deal

Don’t know

Global warming will harm people in developing countries How much do you think global warming will harm people in developing countries?

Not at all

Only a little

A moderate amount

A great deal

Don’t know

Global warming will harm future generations How much do you think global warming will harm future generations of people?

Not at all

Only a little

A moderate amount

A great deal

Don’t know

Global warming will harm plants and animals How much do you think global warming will harm plants and animal species?

Not at all

Only a little

A moderate amount

A great deal

Don’t know

POLICY SUPPORT

Fund research into renewable energy sources How much do you support or oppose the following policies? Fund more research into renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power

Strongly support

Somewhat support

Somewhat oppose

Strongly oppose

Regulate CO2 as a pollutant How much do you support or oppose the following policies? Regulate carbon dioxide (the primary greenhouse gas) as a pollutant

Strongly support

Somewhat support

Somewhat oppose

Strongly oppose

Set strict CO2 limits on existing coal-fired power plants How much do you support or oppose the following policy? Set strict carbon dioxide emission limits on existing coal-fired power plants to reduce global warming and improve public health. Power plants would have to reduce their emissions and/or invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The cost of electricity to consumers and companies would likely increase.

Strongly support

Somewhat support

Somewhat oppose

Strongly oppose

Require utilities to produce 20% electricity from renewable sources How much do you support or oppose the following policies? Require electric utilities to produce at least 20% of their electricity from wind, solar, or other renewable energy sources, even if it costs the average household an extra $100 a year