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View Full Version : Rasmussen: Americans divided on cause of 'global warming'


Regis Philbin
Jan 6th, 2007, 03:55 AM
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Political%20Tracking/Dailies/GlobalWarming.htm


Americans Divided on Cause of Global Warming


December 19, 2006

American voters tend to see Global Warming as a serious problem but are divided as to whether it’s caused by human activities or long-term planetary trends.

A Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters found that 45% consider Global Warming a “very serious” problem while another 28% say it is “somewhat serious.”

Forty-six percent (46%) of American voters believe that Global Warming is caused primarily by human activities. Thirty-five percent (35%) say it is the result of long-term planetary trends. Eight percent (8%) say there is some other cause while 11% are not sure.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Democrats say human activity is the cause while 51% of Republicans identify long-term planetary trends as the culprit.

As with most issues, the understanding of why something is happening has a huge impact on perceptions about the issue. Among those who believe human activity is the primary cause of Global Warming, 71% consider it a Very Important issue. Among those who believe long-term planetary trends are causing the warming, just 17% rate the issue Very Important.

Also, those who see human activity as the cause of Global Warming are more likely to see a conflict between environmental protection and economic growth. Overall, 47% see a conflict between those goals while 29% do not.

DoubleEdgeSword
Jan 6th, 2007, 04:04 AM
And how do these same Americans rate President Bush's handling of environmental issues?

Excellent 11%
Good 21%
Fair 25%
Poor 42%