In a significant turn, those who now believe in global warming, and man’s role in it, has reached 50 percent, according to a new national poll.
What’s more, the percentage of “skeptics” has dropped to 19, and those in the middle, who were the largest group just two years ago, have plummeted to 31 percent, according to the latest Gallup survey.
“There has long been a disconnect between the high proportions of Americans who believe global warming is real and even ascribe it to human activity, and the low priority Americans give to global warming as a policy issue and a factor in their vote. This is largely explained by the relatively low percentages of Americans who consider global warming a serious threat in their lifetimes or who say they worry a great deal about it,” said Gallup.
“That may be changing, however, as 50 percent of Americans now take all aspects of global warming seriously — classifying them as ‘Concerned Believers.’ That contrasts with most years from 2001 through 2016, when Gallup found the majority qualifying as ‘Mixed Middle’ or ‘Cool Skeptics’ on the issue.
The shift has occurred over the past year when the issue was fought over in the presidential election. While President Trump won, the poll indicates that his efforts to boost energy production from coal might not be a national winner.
One hundred percent of Gallup’s “concerned believers” also feel that humans are to blame for climate change. The same percentage also worries about the impact.
As in past surveys, there is a political divide between believers and skeptics. Said Gallup, “Nearly half of Concerned Believers, 47 percent, identify as Democrats, whereas 61 percent of Cool Skeptics are Republicans and the Mixed Middle is more independent than anything.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
