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Fewer Americans Believe in Global Warming

Those seeing evidence of it dropped from 71%-57% in 18 months

By Will McCahill, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 22, 2009 8:09 PM CDT

(Newser) – The percentage of Americans who think there’s serious evidence of global warming has dropped precipitously in the past 18 months—from 71% to 57%, the Pew Research Center finds. Numbers were down across the political spectrum—Democrat, independent, Republican—but the drop was most pronounced among independents, to 53% from 75%. And just 35% now say climate change is a serious problem, down from 41% in April 2008.

“The public is just not as focused on global warming and environmental [issues] as they have been in the past,” a Pew executive tells the Guardian, speculating that the economic crisis and debate over health reform have sapped attention. Chris Good, in the Atlantic, thinks the issue has become more politicized this year as a cap-and-trade bill passed the House, but doubts that accounts for such a huge drop.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

A collapsing glacier. (Wikimedia Commons)

A retreating glacier. (Wikimedia Commons)

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I would say a big part of this problem is this campaign to mislead Americans about climate science. This is a very sophisticated group of people who know how to create doubt and confusion. - James Hoggan, author of
Climate Cover-Up

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 52 comments

thudson

Oct 27, 2009 3:00 AM CDT

@ jayster999 - if you think america's wealth is fading - please feel free to leave. i clearly have more faith in this country than do you.

thudson

Oct 27, 2009 2:56 AM CDT

@ NewserScooter - what kind of scientist are you? please be specific.

freethemall

Oct 25, 2009 12:50 PM CDT

I'm not confused about what to believe about climate change, and you wouldn't either, if you didn't let yourself be confused by those who have a vested interest in the status quo, and that's not the government -- they're also trying to confuse you about that.

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Fewer Americans Believe in Global Warming