Number Of People Who Expect Severe Climate Change Shrinking

April 20, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

As the nation gets ready to celebrate Earth Day 2008, attitudes towards global warming are little changed from last year. Sixty-seven percent of Americans believe the activities of human beings are contributing to an increase in global temperatures, according to a survey by Harris Interactive. This is little changed from last year when 65 percent believed this. Last year, one in five (21%) Americans said they did not believe the activities of humans contributed to an increase in temperatures while this year 17 percent do not believe this.

Where there has been a change is in feelings towards the amount of the increase in temperatures. Last year, 50 percent of those who believe humans are contributing to an increase in temperatures characterized that increase as substantial; this year 40 percent say it is substantial. Just under this (38%) believe the change is moderate, while 33 percent said it was moderate last year. One in five (18%) say the increase is slight, while 14 percent said slight last year.

The impact of global warming is not one that people believe will be a threat to them or their families soon. Thirty percent believe global warming will present a threat to them and their families within their lifetime while 39 percent believe it will not and almost one-third (31%) are not sure. Last year, over one-third (36%) believed it would be a threat within their lifetime while 41 percent said it would not and one-quarter (24%) were not sure.

Carbon Footprints

Only one in ten (11%) Americans say that they have gone and looked up their personal and/or household’s carbon footprint. The younger people are, the more likely they have looked up their footprint. Almost one in five (18%) Echo Boomers (those aged 18-31) say they have looked up their carbon footprint and/or their household’s footprint as have 11 percent of Gen Xers (those aged 32-43) compared to just nine percent of Baby Boomers (those aged 44-62) and six percent of Matures (those aged 63 and older).

While people may not be looking up their carbon footprint, Americans claim that they are doing things that will reduce it and their carbon emissions. Almost two-thirds (63%) of Americans say they may have reduced the amount of energy they use in their home, while two in five (43%) have purchased more energy efficient appliances. Additionally, over one-quarter (27%) of Americans have started purchasing more locally grown food while one in five (21%) have stopped drinking bottled water. Much smaller numbers (2% each) have purchased a hybrid car or purchased carbon offsets from an organization.

While most people are doing something, one-quarter of adults (27%) are doing nothing to reduce their emissions. And, while younger Americans may be more likely to look up their carbon footprint, they are also more likely to do nothing about it. Three in ten Echo Boomers (29%) and Gen Xers (31%) say they are doing nothing to reduce their emissions compared to one-quarter (26%) of Baby Boomers and one in five (20%) Matures.

So What?

Experience suggests that we should be somewhat skeptical of claims people make about doing the “right thing.” Energy consumption continues to increase so whatever actions people are taking are probably modest ones.

click to enlarge

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Enhance Sustainability. Improve Profitability.

Learn how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Reader Comments

Nothing people are willing to do will be green enough. There are over six billion people on this planet. Each one self possessed. Each one wanting MORE. And most people are willing to accept war as a way to settle things. Truly, there is little hope. It doesn’t matter what most people (who are misinformed) believe. The earth is over populated. Life is going to become difficult during the next few years.
Only China is doing anything about the population explosion. Despite that, China’s industrial growth will still increase their contribution to glbal warming.
How about the Pope’s position on birth control? His view is shared by other religions as well. Mankind is becoming like lemmings on the verge of going over the cliff. Will anyone survive the eventual world wide thermonuclear war?

William McLean | May 2nd, 2008

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/24/2009
11/23/2009
11/20/2009

Charts [ see all ]

62% of Firms Assign Environmental Team for Green Goals

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Btok on Canada Delays GHG Emissions Regs, Russia Ups Emissions Cuts
"http://www.infowars.com/dr-tim -ball-on-the-significance-o..."

ruffie on Wind Power Investments Grow in North America
"Anyone with any knowledge of the energy business in Canada knows that the majority of smart..."

Rod Johnson on Stimulus Package Delivers $2.4 Billion for Electric Vehicle Projects
"Will this stimulus be extended to other electric utility vehicles?"

Charli on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Thanks Environmental Leader, for..."

James Beddingfield on Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests
"Another great thing about an ocean-based carbon sink is that it can’t..."

Custom Organic Shirts on Climate Scientists Alleged to Have Manipulated Data
"Wow, EL – should have seriously done even some background research..."

Phil on Climate Scientists Alleged to Have Manipulated Data
"Pete old boy, why don’t you just trot out the math that carries you from your..."

Environmental Leader