Environment

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Environment See also: Energy | Science and Nature

Polls listed chronologically. Data are from nationwide surveys of Americans 18 & older.

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. June 18-21, 2009. N=1,001 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.5 (for all adults).
					.
"Do you think the federal government should or should not regulate the release of greenhouse gases from sources like power plants, cars and factories in an effort to reduce global warming?"
					.
		Should	Should Not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/18-21/09	75	22	3
	4/21-24/09	75	21	4
					.
	Asked of those who answered "Should": "What if it raised the price of things you buy? In that case do you think the federal government should or should not regulate the release of greenhouse gases?"
					.
		Should	Should Not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/18-21/09	80	18	2
					.
"There's a proposed system called 'cap and trade.' The government would issue permits limiting the amount of greenhouse gases companies can put out. Companies that did not use all their permits could sell them to other companies. The idea is that many companies would find ways to put out less greenhouse gases, because that would be cheaper than buying permits. Would you support or oppose this system?"
					.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/18-21/09	52	42	6
	7/23-28/08	59	34	7
					.
"What if a cap and trade program significantly lowered greenhouse gases but raised your monthly electrical bill by 10 dollars a month? In that case would you support or oppose it?" Half sample
					.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/18-21/09	56	42	2
	7/23-28/08	57	41	2
					.
"What if a cap and trade program significantly lowered greenhouse gases but raised your monthly electrical bill by 25 dollars a month? In that case would you support or oppose it?" Half sample
					.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/18-21/09	44	54	1
	7/23-28/08	47	51	2
					.
"Do you think the United States should take action on global warming only if other major industrial countries such as China and India agree to do equally effective things, that the United States should take action even if these other countries do less, or that the United States should not take action on this at all?"
					.
		Action if Others Agree	Action Even if Others Do Less	No Action	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	6/18-21/09	20	59	18	3
	7/23-28/08	18	68	13	2

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. April 23-26, 2009. Adults nationwide.
					.
"Which of the following statements comes closest to your view of global warming? Global warming is occurring and the federal government can take steps which would slow the rate of global warming or eventually stop it altogether. Global warming is occurring but the federal government cannot do anything to slow it down or stop it. Global warming is not occurring." N=1,005 (Form A), MoE ą 3
					.
		Government Can Slow, Stop	Government Can't Slow, Stop	Is Not Occurring	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/23-26/09	54	27	17	2
					.
"A proposal called 'cap and trade' would allow the federal government to limit the emissions from industrial facilities such as power plants and factories that some people believe cause global warming. Companies that exceed the limit could avoid fines or higher taxes by paying money to other companies that produced fewer emissions than allowed. Would you favor or oppose this proposal?" N=1,014 (Form B), MoE ą 3
					.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/23-26/09	44	51	5
					.
	If favor 'cap and trade': "Do you think the 'cap and trade' proposal would reduce global warming, or do you think it would help reduce air pollution in general but would not affect global warming directly?" Combined responses to this question and preceding question. N=1,014 (Form B), MoE ą 3.
					.
		Favor: Reduce Global Warming	Favor: Reduce Air Pollution	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/23-26/09	18	23	51	8

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). April 23-26, 2009. N=approx. 500 adults nationwide. MoE ą 4.4.
					.
"Would you approve or disapprove of a proposal that would require companies to reduce greenhouse gases that cause global warming, even if it would mean higher utility bills for consumers to pay for the changes?"
					.
		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/23-26/09	53	40	7

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. April 21-24, 2009. N=1,072 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"How concerned are you that federal regulation of greenhouse gases could substantially raise the price of things you have to pay for: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not so concerned or not concerned at all?"
					.
		Very Concerned	Somewhat Concerned	Not So Concerned	Not at All Concerned	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	4/21-24/09	36	41	14	8	1

Marist College Poll. April 1-3, 2009. N=1,118 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"Global warming refers to an increase in the Earth's air and water temperature by greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Do you think that global warming will be a major problem, a minor problem, or no problem at all for you in your lifetime?"
					.
		Major Problem	Minor Problem	Not a Problem
		%	%	%
	4/1-3/09	31	41	28
					.
"Do you think that global warming will be a major problem, a minor problem, or no problem at all for future generations?"
					.
		Major Problem	Minor Problem	Not a Problem
		%	%	%
	4/1-3/09	66	20	14
					.
"In general, do you think too much attention is given to the issue of global warming, not enough attention is given to it, or about the right amount of attention is given to the issue of global warming?"
					.
		Too Much	Not Enough	About Right
		%	%	%
	4/1-3/09	26	43	31
					.
"With which one of these statements about the environment and the economy do you most agree? Protection of the environment should be given priority even at the risk of slowing economic growth. Economic growth should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent."
					.
		Environment Should be Given Priority	Growth Should be Given Priority	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/1-3/09	39	49	12

Gallup Poll. March 5-8, 2009. N=1,012 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3 (for all adults).
						.
"Do you think Barack Obama will do a good job or a poor job in handling each of the following issues as president? How about protecting the nation's environment?"
						.
		Good Job	Poor Job	Fair/Mixed (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/5-8/09	79	14	4	3	.
						.
"How would you rate the overall quality of the environment in this country today -- as excellent, good, only fair, or poor?"
						.
		Excellent	Good	Only Fair	Poor	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	3/5-8/09	5	34	45	16	-
	3/6-9/08	5	35	49	11	-
	3/11-14/07	5	35	48	11	1
	3/13-16/06	5	35	49	11	-
	3/7-10/05	4	37	48	10	1
	3/8-11/04	4	39	46	11	-
	3/3-5/03	5	36	48	10	1
	3/4-7/02	4	43	45	7	1
	3/5-7/01	5	41	47	6	1
						.
"Right now, do you think the quality of the environment in the country as a whole is getting better or getting worse?"
						.
		Getting Better	Getting Worse	Same (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/5-8/09	41	51	5	2	.
	3/6-9/08	26	68	5	1	.
	3/11-14/07	25	67	7	1	.
	3/13-16/06	25	67	6	2	.
	3/7-10/05	29	63	6	2	.
	3/8-11/04	34	58	6	2	.
	3/3-5/03	33	57	8	2	.
	3/4-7/02	40	54	4	2	.
	3/5-7/01	36	57	5	2	.
						.
"With which one of these statements about the environment and the economy do you most agree? Protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of curbing economic growth. OR, Economic growth should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent." Options rotated
						.
		Environment	Economic Growth	Equal Priority (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/5-8/09	42	51	5	3	.
	3/6-9/08	49	42	5	3	.
	3/11-14/07	55	37	4	4	.
	3/13-16/06	52	37	6	4	.
	3/7-10/05	53	36	7	4	.
	3/8-11/04	49	44	4	3	.
	3/3-5/03	47	42	7	4	.
	3/4-7/02	54	36	5	5	.
	3/5-7/01	57	33	6	4	.
	4/3-9/00	67	28	2	3	.
	1/13-16/00	70	23	-	7	.
	4/13-14/99	67	28	-	5	.
	3/12-14/99	65	30	-	5	.
	4/5-8/90	71	19	-	10	.
	9/28 - 10/1/84	61	28	-	11	.
						.
"I'm going to read you a list of environmental problems. As I read each one, please tell me if you personally worry about this problem a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or not at all. How much do you personally worry about [see below]?"
						.
		Great Deal	Fair Amount	Only a Little	Not at All	.
		%	%	%	%	.
						.
	"Pollution of drinking water"
	3/5-8/09	59	25	11	5	.
	3/6-9/08	53	28	13	6	.
	3/11-14/07	58	24	12	5	.
	3/13-16/06	54	27	12	7	.
	3/8-11/04	53	24	17	6	.
						.
	"Pollution of rivers, lakes and reservoirs".
	3/5-8/09	52	31	13	4	.
	3/6-9/08	50	34	12	4	.
	3/11-14/07	53	31	13	3	.
	3/13-16/06	51	33	11	5	.
	3/8-11/04	48	31	16	5	.
						.
	"Contamination of soil and water by toxic waste".
	3/5-8/09	52	28	14	5	.
	3/6-9/08	50	30	14	6	.
	3/11-14/07	52	28	13	7	.
	3/13-16/06	52	29	13	6	.
	3/8-11/04	48	26	21	5	.
						.
	"Maintenance of the nation's supply of fresh water for household needs"
	3/5-8/09	49	31	14	5	.
	3/6-9/08	48	31	15	5	.
	3/11-14/07	51	27	16	5	.
	3/13-16/06	49	27	14	9	.
	3/8-11/04	47	25	20	8	.
						.
	"Air pollution".
	3/5-8/09	45	31	18	6	.
	3/6-9/08	43	35	17	6	.
	3/11-14/07	46	33	15	5	.
	3/13-16/06	44	34	15	7	.
	3/8-11/04	39	30	23	8	.
						.
	"The loss of tropical rain forests"				.	.
	3/5-8/09	42	26	21	11	.
	3/6-9/08	40	29	20	11	.
	3/11-14/07	43	30	17	10	.
	3/13-16/06	40	24	22	13	.
	3/8-11/04	35	26	23	15	.
						.
	"Extinction of plant and animal species"				.	.
	3/5-8/09	37	28	22	12	.
	3/6-9/08	37	31	20	11	.
	3/11-14/07	39	30	19	12	.
	3/13-16/06	34	29	23	14	.
	3/8-11/04	36	26	23	15	.
						.
	"The 'greenhouse effect,' or global warming" N=512 (Form A), MoE ą 5
	3/5-8/09	35	25	20	19	.
	3/6-9/08	37	29	16	17	.
	3/11-14/07	41	24	18	16	.
	3/13-16/06	36	26	21	15	.
	3/8-11/04	26	25	28	19	.
						.
	"Global warming" N=500 (Form B), MoE ą 5
	3/5-8/09	33	27	20	20	.
						.
"Which of the following statements reflects your view of when the effects of global warming will begin to happen? They have already begun to happen. They will start happening within a few years. They will start happening within your lifetime. They will not happen within your lifetime, but they will affect future generations. OR, They will never happen." Options rotated
						.
		Already Happening	Within a Few Years	Within Your Lifetime	Future Generations	Never
		%	%	%	%	%
	3/5-8/09	53	5	10	15	16
	3/6-9/08	61	4	10	13	11
	3/23-25/07	60	4	7	15	11
	3/11-14/07	59	3	8	19	8
	3/13-16/06	58	5	10	15	8
	3/05	54	5	10	19	9
	3/04	51	5	12	18	11
	3/03	51	6	12	17	10
	3/02	53	5	13	17	9
	3/01	54	4	13	18	7
	11/97	48	3	14	19	9
						.
"Thinking about what is said in the news, in your view, is the seriousness of global warming generally exaggerated, generally correct, or is it generally underestimated?" Options rotated
						.
		Exaggerated	Correct	Under- estimated	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/5-8/09	41	29	28	2	.
	3/6-9/08	35	33	29	2	.
	3/11-14/07	33	29	35	4	.
	3/13-16/06	30	28	38	4	.
						.
"Do you think that global warming will pose a serious threat to you or your way of life in your lifetime?"
						.
		Yes	No	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	3/5-8/09	38	60	2	.	.
	3/6-9/08	40	58	2	.	.
	3/13-16/06	35	62	2	.	.
	3/4-7/02	33	65	2	.	.
	3/5-7/01	31	66	3	.	.
	11/6-9/97	25	69	6	.	.

ABC News/Planet Green/Stanford University poll. July 23-28, 2008. N=1,000 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"How would you rate the condition of the natural environment in the world today: excellent, good, fair, poor, or very poor?"
						.
		Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor	Very Poor
		%	%	%	%	%
	7/23-28/08	3	21	38	28	9
	4/5-10/07	3	20	41	26	9
	3/9-14/06	3	21	43	25	8
						.
"What in your opinion is the single biggest environmental problem the world faces at this time?" If "air pollution" or "pollution": "What about air pollution/pollution do you have in mind?"
						.
			7/23-28/08	4/5-10/07	3/9-14/07
			%	%	%
	Global warming/Climate change		25	33	16
	Air pollution		12	13	13
	Energy problems		11	7	10
	Pollution (misc.)		7	8	7
	Toxic substances in environment		6	6	7
	Water pollution		5	5	6
	Loss of habitat/Overdevelopment		4	4	7
	Waste/Not enough recycling		4	3	9
	Other		14	11	16
	None		3	1	2
	Unsure		8	8	7
						.
"You may have heard about the idea that the world's temperature may have been going up slowly over the past 100 years. What is your personal opinion on this? Do you think this has probably been happening, or do you think it probably has not been happening?"
						.
		Has Been	Hasn't Been	Unsure
		%	%	%
	7/23-28/08	80	18	2
	4/5-10/07	84	13	3
	3/9-14/06	85	13	2
						.
"How important is the issue of global warming to you personally: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important?"
						.
		Extremely Important	Very Important	Somewhat Important	Not Too Important	Not at All Important
		%	%	%	%	%
	7/23-28/08	16	30	32	13	9
	4/5-10/07	18	34	30	8	9
	3/9-14/06	17	33	32	10	8
						.
"Do you think the federal government should do more than it's doing now to try to deal with global warming, should do less than it's doing now, or is it doing about the right amount?"
						.
		More	Less	About Right	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	7/23-28/08	61	10	27	2
	4/5-10/07	70	7	21	2
	3/9-14/06	68	5	25	1
						.
"If the United States does more than other countries to address global warming, do you think that would help the U.S. economy, hurt the U.S. economy or have no effect?"
						.
		Help	Hurt	Not Effect	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	7/23-28/08	33	32	29	6
						.
"Which do you think would do a better job reducing global warming: the government, through laws intended to reduce the output of greenhouse gases, or businesses, through competition in the market system?" Options rotated
						.
		Government	Business	Both Equally (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	7/23-28/08	43	45	8	4
						.
"A person's 'carbon footprint' is the amount of greenhouse gases put out as a result of his or her energy use. That includes energy used directly, like electricity and fuel, as well as the energy it takes to make all the products you use. Are you personally doing anything to reduce your carbon footprint, or not?"
						.
		Yes	No	Unsure
		%	%	%
	7/23-28/08	71	28	1
						.
"Some companies make products that they say help the environment because they're made using recycled materials, don't use chemicals or will decompose naturally after being used. Do you personally try to buy these products, or not?"
						.
		Yes	No
		%	%
	7/23-28/08	67	32
						.
"On another subject, would you be more or less likely to vote for a candidate for president if that person is a strong environmentalist, or wouldn't that have much effect on your vote one way or the other?"
						.
		More Likely	Less Likely	Not Much Effect	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	7/23-28/08	42	6	50	2
	3/99	46	15	36	2
						.
"Do you consider yourself an environmentalist or not?"
						.
		Yes	No	Unsure
		%	%	%
	7/23-28/08	41	58	1

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. June 26-29, 2008. N=1,026 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"With which one of these statements about the environment and the economy do you most agree? Protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of curbing economic growth. OR, Economic growth should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent."
					.
		Environment Given Priority	Economic Growth Given Priority	Both Equally (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	6/26-29/08	49	44	6	1

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. June 4-5, 2008. N=1,035 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"Which of the following statements comes closest to your view of global warming? Global warming is a proven fact and is mostly caused by emissions from cars and industrial facilities such as power plants and factories. Global warming is a proven fact and is mostly caused by natural changes that have nothing to do with emissions from cars and industrial facilities. Global warming is a theory that has not yet been proven."
					.
		Fact: Cars, Industry	Fact: Natural Changes	An Unproven Theory	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	6/4-5/08	54	22	23	1
	10/12-14/07	56	21	21	2
	5/4-6/07	54	20	22	4
					.
"One plan to reduce global warming would have the government set a limit on the amount of those emissions that companies could produce each year. Companies that exceed that limit would face fines or higher taxes, but they could avoid those penalties by paying money to other companies that produced fewer emissions than allowed. Would you favor or oppose this proposal?"
					.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/4-5/08	52	45	3

Gallup Poll. March 6-9, 2008. N=1,012 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3 (for all adults).
						.
"All in all, which of the following best describes how you feel about the environmental problems facing the earth? Life on earth will continue without major environmental disruptions only if we take additional, immediate, and drastic action concerning the environment. We should take some additional actions concerning the environment. OR, We should take just the same actions we have been taking on the environment."
						.
		Immediate, Drastic action	Some Additional Actions	Same Actions	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/6-9/08	34	52	13	1	.
						.
"I'm going to read you a list of environmental problems. As I read each one, please tell me if you personally worry about this problem a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or not at all. How much do you personally worry about [see below]?"
						.
		Great Deal	Fair Amount	Only a Little	Not at All	.
		%	%	%	%	.
						.
	"The loss of natural habitat for wildlife"				.	.
	3/6-9/08	44	33	17	6	.
						.
	"Damage to the earth's ozone layer"				.	.
	3/6-9/08	39	29	19	12	.
	3/11-14/07	43	27	19	11	.
	3/13-16/06	40	28	19	13	.
	3/8-11/04	33	27	26	14	.
						.
	"Urban sprawl and loss of open spaces"				.	.
	3/6-9/08	33	35	19	12	.
						.
	"Acid rain"				.	.
	3/6-9/08	23	27	26	23	.
	3/11-14/07	25	25	28	20	.
	3/13-16/06	24	28	24	23	.
	3/8-11/04	20	26	27	26	.
						.
"Next, thinking about the issue of global warming, sometimes called the 'greenhouse effect,' how well do you feel you understand this issue -- would you say very well, fairly well, not very well, or not at all?"
						.
		Very Well	Fairly Well	Not Very Well	Not at All	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/6-9/08	21	59	18	2	.
	3/11-14/07	22	54	19	4	.
	3/13-16/06	21	53	20	6	.
						.
"Thinking about your own shopping and living habits over the last five years, would you say you have made major changes, minor changes or no changes to help protect the environment?"
						.
		Major Changes	Minor Changes	No Changes	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/6-9/08	28	55	17	-	.
	3/3-5/03	23	61	15	1	.
	4/3-9/00	31	58	11	-	.
						.
	Asked of those of have made changes: "What are some of the specific changes you have made in your shopping and living habits to help protect the environment?" Open-ended. Multiple responses.
						.
				%	.	.
	Recycle/Recycle more			39	.	.
	Drive less/Consolidate trips/Car pool			17	.	.
	Buy biodegradable products			14	.	.
	Use less electricity/Conserve energy			10	.	.
	Drive more fuel efficient car/Maintain car			9	.	.
	Buy/Use more "green" products			7	.	.
	Use energy saving light bulbs			7	.	.
	Eat more organic/home grown foods			5	.	.
	Conserve water			5	.	.
	Other			16	.	.
	None/Nothing			2	.	.
	Unsure			12	.	.

*The Harris* Poll. Oct. 16-23, 2007. N=1,052 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3 (for all adults).
						.
"Do you think there is too much, too little, or about the right amount of government regulation and involvement in the area of environmental protection?"
						.
		Too Much	Too Little	About Right	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	ALL adults	21	53	21	5
	Republicans	34	36	25	4
	Democrats	10	68	17	4
	Independents	25	51	19	4
						.
	8/9-16/05	19	47	32	2
						.
"Do you believe the theory that increased carbon dioxide and other gases released into the atmosphere will, if unchecked, lead to global warming and an increase in average temperatures?"
						.
		Yes	No	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/16-23/07	71	23	6
	9/19-23/02	74	19	7
						.
"Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? . . ."
						.
		Agree	Disagree	Unsure
		%	%	%
	"Since emerging countries such as India and China will soon pass the United States as the largest contributor of greenhouse gases, what ever is done to control these gases should be undertaken by almost all industrial countries."
						.
	10/16-23/07	87	10	2
						.
	"As the world's leading industrial country, the United States needs to set the lead when it comes to controlling greenhouse gases and pollution."
						.
	10/16-23/07	81	16	3

Associated Press-Stanford University poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. Sept. 21-23, 2007. N=1,001 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.1.
					.
"How would you rate the condition of the natural environment in the world today . . . ?"
					.
		Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor	Very Poor
		%	%	%	%	%
	9/21-23/07	3	18	35	34	8
					.
"Compared to 10 or so years ago, do you think the natural environment in the world today is . . . ?"
					.
		Better	Worse	About the Same
		%	%	%
	9/21-23/07	12	55	32
					.
"Thinking ahead to 10 or so years from now, do you think the natural environment in the world will be . . . ?"
					.
		Better	Worse	About the Same	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	9/21-23/07	15	52	31	2
					.
"Thinking about the way [see below] is/are handling issues involving the natural environment, do you . . . ?"
					.
		Approve	Disapprove	Neither Approve nor Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	President Bush
	9/21-23/07	20	52	26	2
					.
	American businesses
	9/21-23/07	22	44	30	3
					.
	The U.S. Congress
	9/21-23/07	16	51	32	2
					.
"During the past year, how much did President Bushs policies do to HELP the natural environment?"
					.
		A Great Deal	A Lot	A Moderate Amount	A Little	Nothing
		%	%	%	%	%
	9/21-23/07	3	4	17	37	35
					.
"During the past year, how much did President Bushs policies do to HARM the natural environment?"
					.
		A Great Deal	A Lot	A Moderate Amount	A Little	Nothing
		%	%	%	%	%
	9/21-23/07	16	13	20	22	22
					.
"During the past year, how much did American businesses do to HELP the natural environment?"
					.
		A Great Deal	A Lot	A Moderate Amount	A Little	Nothing
		%	%	%	%	%
	9/21-23/07	3	4	28	46	16
					.
"During the past year, how much did American businesses do to HARM the natural environment?"
					.
		A Great Deal	A Lot	A Moderate Amount	A Little	Nothing
		%	%	%	%	%
	9/21-23/07	15	19	31	24	8
					.
"You may have heard about the idea that the world's temperature may have been going up slowly over the past 100 years. What is your personal opinion on this? Do you think this has probably been happening, or do you think it probably hasn't been happening?"
					.
		Happening	Not Happening	Unsure
		%	%	%
	9/21-23/07	84	14	2
					.
"If nothing is done to reduce global warming in the future, how serious of a problem do you think it will be for the world . . . ?"
					.
		Very Serious	Somewhat Serious	Not So Serious	Not Serious At All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	9/21-23/07	59	20	12	8	1

Newsweek Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Aug. 1-2, 2007. N=1,002 adults nationwide. MoE ą 4 (for all adults).
					.
"We'd like your opinion of the way George W. Bush is handling certain aspects of his job. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bush is handling the environment?"
					.
		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	8/1-2/07	32	56	12
	5/11-12/06	38	53	9
	8/2-4/05	39	48	13
					.
"Which ONE of the following do you think is the most important environmental problem facing the world today? Is it [see below], or some other environmental problem that I haven't mentioned?" Options rotated
					.
			8/1-2/07	4/13-14/00
			%	%
	Global warming		38	12
	Water pollution		14	19
	Air pollution		13	19
	Garbage and landfills		10	17
	Loss of ozone layer		7	13
	Endangered or vanished species		3	5
	Acid rain		1	3
	Other problem		7	4
	Unsure		7	8
					.
"Now, thinking specifically about the issue of global warming: Do you think most climate scientists agree that the earth has been warming in recent years, or do you think there is a lot of disagreement among climate scientists about whether the earth has been warming?"
					.
		Most Agree	A Lot of Dis-agreement	Unsure
		%	%	%
	8/1-2/07	52	39	9
					.
"Do you think most climate scientists agree that human activities, such as burning coal and oil, are a major cause of global warming, or do you think there is a lot of disagreement among climate scientists about whether human activities are a major cause?"
					.
		Most Agree	A Lot of Dis-agreement	Unsure
		%	%	%
	8/1-2/07	47	42	11
					.
"Which of the following best describes your views about global warming and climate change? Do you think climate change is already happening because of global warming, will happen in the next few years, will happen in your lifetime, will not happen in your lifetime but will affect future generations, or will never happen because of global warming?"
					.
			%
	Already happening		46
	Will happen in next few years		4
	Will happen in your lifetime		12
	Will affect future generations		21
	Will never happen		9
	Unsure		8
					.
"Looking ahead 50 years from today, do you think global warming will be a major threat to human life on earth, a minor threat, or not a threat?"
					.
		Major Threat	Minor Threat	Not a Threat	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	8/1-2/07	46	27	18	9
					.
"Thinking about the reporting you've seen or heard recently about global warming in the news media, do you think the media generally exaggerate the threat of climate change from global warming, don't take the threat of climate change seriously enough, or are about right in their reporting?"
					.
		Exaggerate	Don't Take Seriously Enough	About Right	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	8/1-2/07	42	22	30	6
					.
"How important will a candidate's views on global warming be in determining your vote for U.S. Congress next year? Will it be the single most important issue, or one of several important issues, or not important in determining your vote?" N=872 registered voters, MoE ą 4 (for all registered voters)
					.
		Single Most Important	One of Several	Not Important	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	ALL reg. voters	4	59	36	1
	Republicans	2	35	62	1
	Democrats	7	70	22	1
	Independents	3	65	31	1
					.
"In general, which political party do you trust more to handle the issue of global warming: the Republicans or the Democrats?" Options rotated
					.
		Democrats	Republicans	Both Equally (vol.)	Neither (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	8/1-2/07	52	21	3	15	9
					.
"Do you think the Bush Administration has done as much as it should to try to address climate change and reduce global warming, or hasn't done enough?"
					.
		As Much as It Should	Hasn't Done Enough	Unsure
		%	%	%
	8/1-2/07	21	68	11
					.
"From what you know about the actions this country might take to address climate change and reduce global warming, do you think the economic costs would be unacceptably high, or it can be done without taking on high economic costs, or the economic costs would be high but worth the sacrifice?"
					.
		Too High	Without High Costs	High But Worth It	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	8/1-2/07	17	27	42	14
					.
"As I read you some things the government might do to address climate change and reduce global warming, please tell me if each is something you think government should require by law, or should encourage through tax breaks but not require, or should stay out of entirely. What about this: [see below]?"
					.
		Require	Encourage	Stay Out Of	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	Building cars that use less gasoline
	8/1-2/07	44	33	16	7
					.
	Building air conditioners, refrigerators, or other appliances that use less electricity
	8/1-2/07	34	39	21	6
					.
	Building new homes and offices that use less energy for heating and cooling
	8/1-2/07	27	48	19	6
					.
	Lowering the amount of greenhouse gases that power plants are allowed to release into the air
	8/1-2/07	57	21	14	8
					.
"In the past few years, have you personally taken any steps to reduce your own energy consumption because of concerns related to climate change and global warming, or is that something you plan to do in the future, or is this something you don't expect to do?"
					.
		Have Taken Steps	Plan To In The Future	Don't Expect To	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	8/1-2/07	61	18	17	4

ABC News/Washington Post/Stanford University poll. April 5-10, 2007. N=1,002 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3. Fieldwork by TNS.
						.
"For each of the following, please tell me whether you favor or oppose it as a way for the federal government to try to reduce future global warming. . . ."
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
						.
	"Increase taxes on electricity so people use less of it"
	4/5-10/07	20	79	1
	3/9-14/06	19	81	-
						.
	"Increase taxes on gasoline so people either drive less, or buy cars that use less gas"
	4/5-10/07	32	67	1
	3/9-14/06	31	68	1
						.
"For the next items, please tell me for each one whether it's something the government should require by law, encourage with tax breaks but not require, or stay out of entirely. . . ."
						.
		Require	Encourage	Stay Out of Entirely	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
						.
	"Building cars that use less gasoline"
	4/5-10/07	42	44	14	1
	3/9-14/06	45	40	15	-
						.
	"Building air conditioners, refrigerators and other appliances that use less electricity"
	4/5-10/07	36	43	19	1
	3/9-14/06	42	41	17	1
						.
	"Lowering the amount of greenhouse gases that power plants are allowed to release into the air"
	4/5-10/07	62	26	10	3
	3/9-14/06	61	26	11	2
						.
"Who do you trust to do a better job handling [see below]: George W. Bush or the Democrats in Congress?" Options rotated
						.
		George W. Bush	Democrats In Congress	Both Equally (vol.)	Neither (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%

	"The environment overall"
	4/5-10/07	21	53	1	20	4
						.
	"Global warming"
	4/5-10/07	19	59	1	17	4
						.
	"Issues involving the national parks"
	4/5-10/07	24	57	1	12	6
						.
"What do you think should be a higher priority in management of the country's national parks: protecting natural habitats and wildlife, or providing public access for recreational use?" Options rotated
						.
		Protecting Nature	Providing Access	Both (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/5-10/07	79	13	7	1
						.
"Thinking for a moment about the world's oceans, how much does [see below] concern you: a great deal, a good amount, just some or hardly at all?"
						.
		A Great Deal	A Good Amount	Just Some	Hardly At All	Not at All (vol.)
		%	%	%	%	%

	"Depletion of fish stocks through overfishing"
	4/5-10/07	38	25	23	11	2
						.
	"Pollution of the oceans"
	4/5-10/07	52	25	16	5	1
						.
	"A rise in sea level due to global warming"
	4/5-10/07	35	23	22	15	3
						.
"Do you think the federal government should do more to regulate commercial fishing in U.S. waters, should it do less or should it leave the rules as they are?"
						.
		More	Less	Leave Rules As They Are	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/5-10/07	51	3	41	5
						.
"In your household do you currently recycle trash -- such as paper, plastic, glass and metal cans -- or not?
						.
		Yes	No
		%	%
	4/5-10/07	75	25

Gallup Poll. March 11-14, 2007. N=1,009 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"All things considered, do you think the environmental movement in this nation has done more good than harm, or more harm than good? Would you say it has done definitely more good than harm, probably more good than harm, probably more harm than good, or definitely more harm than good?" Options rotated
						.
		Definitely More Good Than Harm	Probably More Good Than Harm	Probably More Harm Than Good	Definitely More Harm Than Good	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	3/11-14/07	22	44	21	10	3
	3/7-10/05	22	47	19	9	3
	4/3-9/00	33	42	12	9	4
	1/5 - 3/31/92	33	43	11	3	11
						.
"And from what you have heard or read, do you believe increases in the Earth's temperature over the last century are due more to the effects of pollution from human activities, or natural changes in the environment that are not due to human activities?" Options rotated
						.
		Human Activities	Natural Changes	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	3/11-14/07	61	35	5	.	.
	3/13-16/06	58	36	6	.	.

FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll. Jan. 30-31, 2007. N=900 registered voters nationwide. MoE ą 3 (for all registered voters).
						.
"How well do you feel that you understand the issue of global warming? . . ."
						.
		Very Well	Somewhat Well	Not Very Well	Not Well at All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/30-31/07	32	47	13	5	3
	10/25-26/05	27	48	14	8	2
						.
"Do you believe global warming exists?"
						.
		Yes	No	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	1/30-31/07	82	10	8		.
	10/25-26/05	77	13	10		.
						.
	Asked of those who believe global warming exists (N=737, MoE ą 4): "Do you believe global warming is caused by normal climate patterns or by people's behavior, such as driving and burning too much fossil fuel like coal and oil?"
						.
		Normal Patterns	People's Behavior	Both (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	1/30-31/07	14	41	38	8	.
	10/25-26/05	17	46	30	6	.

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Jan. 19-21, 2007. N=approx. 500 adults nationwide. MoE ą 4.5.
					.
"Which of the following statements comes closest to your view of global warming? Global warming is a proven fact. Global warming is a theory that has not yet been proven."
					.
		Fact	Theory	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	.
	1/19-21/07	57	38	5	.
					.
"Do you think the government should or should not put new restrictions on emissions from cars and industrial facilities such as power plants and factories in an attempt to reduce the effects of global warming?"
					.
		Should	Should Not	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	.
	1/19-21/07	75	21	4	.

CBS News Poll. Jan. 18-21, 2007. N=1,168 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"Do you think global warming is an environmental problem that is causing a serious impact now, or do you think global warming isn't having a serious impact?"
					.
		Serious Impact Now	Not a Serious Impact	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/18-21/07	70	23	7
	8/17-21/06	67	28	5

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). Jan. 17-20, 2007. N=1,007 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.1 (for all adults).
					.
"From what you know about global climate change or global warming, which one of the following statements comes closest to your opinion? Global climate change has been established as a serious problem, and immediate action is necessary. There is enough evidence that climate change is taking place and some action should be taken. We don't know enough about global climate change, and more research is necessary before we take any actions. Concern about global climate change is unwarranted."
					.
		Immediate Action	Some Action	More Research	Concern Unwarranted	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/17-20/07	34	30	25	8	3
	6/9-12/06	29	30	28	9	4
	7/24-26/99	23	28	32	11	6

Earlier polling on the environment

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