An increasing number of Americans believe there is evidence for climate change, reveals a new poll conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan.
According to the poll, two-thirds of Americans — including 51 percent of Republicans — think global warming is occurring. 42 percent believe that Earth is warming primarily as a consequence of human activities, while 37 percent attribute rising temperatures to a combination of natural patterns and human activity. Only 19 percent ascribe recent warming predominantly to natural phenomena.
Respondents cited warmer temperatures (24 percent), “weather change” (22 percent), “human activity” (12 percent), melting glaciers (11 percent)m and scientific research (10 percent) as the primary reason they believe global warming is occurring. Zero percent cites Al Gore’s documentary, “The Inconvenient Truth”, as a factor.
The poll also looked at those who do not believe that climate change is occurring. 33 percent of deniers cited “natural patterns” as the primary factor that makes them believe Earth’s temperatures are not rising. Personal observation (19 percent), religious factors (11 percent) and “evidence disproves” (10 percent) followed. Only one percent blamed the media.
Climate poll results.
The poll is based on 917 interviews conducted prior to late October’s Superstorm Sandy and 998 interviews conducted after the storm.
The results of the poll came before the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that 2012 was the warmest year on record for the contiguous United States, 3.2°F above the 20th century average.
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