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. First, how much do you personally worry about -- Contamination of soil and water by radioactivity from nuclear facilities?
Great deal
Fair amount
Only a little
Not at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2001 Mar 5-7
49
22
19
10
*
2000 Apr 3-9
52
23
16
9
*
1999 Apr 13-14
48
27
16
8
1
1991 Apr 11-14
44
25
20
10
1
1990 Apr 5-8
48
23
17
10
2
1989 May 4-7
54
24
14
7
1
* Less than 0.5%
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Just your impression, which one of the following statements do you think is most accurate -- most scientists believe that global warming is occurring, most scientists believe that global warming is NOT occurring or most scientists are unsure about whether global warming is occurring or not?
Is occurring
Is not occurring
Unsure
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2021 Mar 1-15
68
5
25
2
2020 Mar 2-13
68
4
27
2
2019 Mar 1-10
65
6
26
2
2018 Mar 1-8
66
6
24
4
2017 Mar 1-5
71
5
22
2
2016 Mar 2-6
65
7
25
3
2015 Mar 5-8
62
8
27
3
2014 Mar 6-9
60
8
29
3
2013 Mar 7-10
62
6
28
4
2012 Mar 8-11
58
7
32
3
2011 Mar 3-6
55
8
33
4
2010 Mar 4-7
52
10
36
2
2008 Mar 6-9
65
7
26
3
2006 Mar 13-16
65
3
29
3
2001 Mar 5-7
61
4
30
5
1997 Nov 21-23
48
7
39
6
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
How much progress do you think has been made in dealing with environmental problems over the past twenty years? Would you say there has been a great deal of progress, only some progress or hardly any progress at all?
Great deal
Only some
Hardly any
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2007 Mar 11-14
18
60
21
1
2002 Mar 4-7
27
60
12
1
2001 Mar 5-7 ^
25
65
8
2
2000 Apr 3-9 #
26
64
9
1
1999 Apr 13-14 #
36
55
8
1
1995 Apr 17-19 #
24
61
14
1
1991 Apr 11-14 #
18
61
19
1
1990 Apr 5-8 #
14
63
21
2
^ Asked of a half sample; # WORDING: "...in the past few decades -- say since 1970...."
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
How much progress do you think has been made in dealing with environmental problems over the past 50 years? Would you say there has been a great deal of progress, only some progress or hardly any progress at all?
Great deal
Only some
Hardly any
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2020 Mar 2-13 ^
26
56
18
*
^ Asked of a half sample; * Less than 0.5%
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Thinking about the environmental movement, do you think of yourself as -- an active participant in the environmental movement, sympathetic towards the movement, but not active, neutral, or unsympathetic towards the environmental movement?
Active participant
Sympathetic, but not active
Neutral
Unsympathetic
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2017 Mar 1-5
17
45
28
8
2
2015 Mar 5-8
16
41
30
11
1
2014 Mar 6-9
18
42
26
10
3
2013 Mar 7-10
17
42
29
10
2
2012 Mar 8-11
17
40
30
11
2
2011 Mar 3-6
20
42
27
9
2
2010 Mar 4-7
19
42
28
10
1
2008 Mar 6-9
22
47
25
6
1
2007 Mar 11-14
21
49
23
5
2
2006 Mar 13-16
14
48
29
7
2
2005 Mar 7-10
16
49
28
5
2
2004 Mar 8-11
14
47
30
8
1
2003 Mar 3-5
14
47
32
6
1
2002 Mar 4-7
19
51
24
5
1
2001 Mar 5-7
18
50
25
5
2
2000 Apr 3-9
16
55
23
5
1
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
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?
Definitely more good
Probably more good
Probably more harm
Definitely more harm
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2010 Mar 4-7
22
40
23
13
3
2007 Mar 11-14
22
44
21
10
3
2005 Mar 7-10
22
47
19
9
3
2000 Apr 3-9
33
42
12
9
4
1992 Jan 5-Mar 31
33
43
11
3
11
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Do you believe that new environmental and energy laws designed to reduce global warming will -- [ROTATED: definitely hurt the economy, probably hurt the economy, have no effect either way on the economy, probably help the economy (or) definitely help the economy]?
Definitely hurt
Probably hurt
No effect
Probably help
Definitely help
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
%
2019 Mar 1-10
15
26
19
26
11
3
2010 Mar 4-7
20
29
18
24
6
3
2009 Dec 11-13
19
23
17
27
9
5
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Expanding the use of nuclear energy?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2018 Mar 1-8
45
51
4
2017 Mar 1-5
46
50
4
2014 Mar 6-9
47
51
2
2012 Mar 8-11
52
44
4
2007 Mar 11-14
50
46
4
2006 Mar 13-16
55
40
5
2003 Mar 3-5
43
51
6
2002 Mar 4-7
45
51
4
2001 Mar 5-7
44
51
5
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Opening up land owned by the federal government for oil exploration?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2018 Mar 1-8
43
55
2
2017 Mar 1-5
46
53
1
2014 Mar 6-9
58
41
1
2012 Mar 8-11
65
34
2
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- More strongly enforcing federal environmental regulations?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2018 Mar 1-8
73
26
1
2017 Mar 1-5
69
28
3
2014 Mar 6-9
64
34
2
2012 Mar 8-11
64
33
2
2007 Mar 11-14
82
15
3
2006 Mar 13-16
79
20
2
2003 Mar 3-5
75
21
4
2002 Mar 4-7
78
19
3
2001 Mar 5-7
77
20
3
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Setting higher emissions standards for automobiles?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2018 Mar 1-8
66
33
1
2014 Mar 6-9
62
35
3
2012 Mar 8-11
62
37
1
2007 Mar 11-14
79
18
2
2006 Mar 13-16
73
25
2
2003 Mar 3-5
73
24
3
2002 Mar 4-7
72
26
2
2001 Mar 5-7
75
23
2
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Setting higher emissions and pollution standards for business and industry?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2018 Mar 1-8
74
25
1
2017 Mar 1-5
67
31
3
2014 Mar 6-9
65
35
1
2012 Mar 8-11
70
29
1
2007 Mar 11-14
84
15
1
2006 Mar 13-16
77
22
1
2003 Mar 3-5
80
19
1
2002 Mar 4-7
83
16
1
2001 Mar 5-7
81
17
2
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Spending more government money on developing solar and wind power?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2018 Mar 1-8
76
23
1
2017 Mar 1-5
72
26
2
2014 Mar 6-9
67
32
1
2012 Mar 8-11
69
30
1
2007 Mar 11-14
81
17
1
2006 Mar 13-16
77
21
2
2001 Mar 5-7
79
19
2
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Imposing mandatory controls on carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2018 Mar 1-8
67
31
2
2014 Mar 6-9
63
35
3
2012 Mar 8-11
65
33
3
2007 Mar 11-14
79
19
2
2006 Mar 13-16
75
23
3
2003 Mar 3-5
75
22
3
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Setting stricter standards on the use of techniques to extract natural gas from the earth, including "fracking"?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2018 Mar 1-8
58
38
4
2014 Mar 6-9
58
37
4
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Passing a carbon tax to encourage reductions in carbon dioxide emissions?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2018 Mar 1-8
53
45
2
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Spending government money to support the coal industry?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2018 Mar 1-8
32
66
2
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Spending government money to develop alternate sources of fuel for automobiles?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2014 Mar 6-9
66
33
1
2012 Mar 8-11
66
33
1
2007 Mar 11-14
86
12
1
2006 Mar 13-16
85
14
1
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Setting higher fuel efficiency standards for automobiles?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2009 Mar 5-8
80
19
1
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Setting legal limits on the amount of energy that average consumers can use?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2009 Mar 5-8
33
65
2
2002 Mar 4-7
35
62
3
2011 Mar 4-7
35
62
3
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Providing tax deductions to Americans who spend money to increase the energy efficiency of their homes?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2009 Mar 5-8
88
10
1
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, I am going to read some specific proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favor or oppose it. How about -- Opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska for oil exploration?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2007 Mar 11-14
41
57
2
2006 Mar 13-16
49
47
4
2003 Mar 3-5
41
55
4
2002 Mar 4-7
40
56
4
2001 Nov 8-11
44
51
5
2001 May 7-9
38
57
5
2001 Mar 5-7
40
56
4
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Finally, as you may know, scientists recently reported that 2015 was the Earth's warmest year on record. Had you heard about these reports before now, or not?
Yes, have heard
No, have not
No opinion
%
%
%
2016 Mar 2-6
63
37
*
* Less than 0.5%
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Just your best guess, do you generally believe these reports are accurate or not accurate?
Accurate
Not accurate
No opinion
%
%
%
2016 Mar 2-6
69
27
4
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Assuming these reports are accurate, do you think the record temperatures in 2015 were mainly due to -- [ROTATED: human-caused climate change (or to) natural changes in the Earth's temperatures]?
Human-caused climate change
Natural changes
Reports not accurate (vol.)
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2016 Mar 2-6
49
46
2
3
(vol.)=volunteered response
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Is your local area experiencing a drought -- that is, a serious shortage of rainfall -- this year, or not?
Yes, is
No, is not
No opinion
%
%
%
2014 Mar 6-9
25
75
1
2013 Mar 7-10
30
68
1
2002 Mar 4-7
47
52
1
1999 Aug 3-4
50
49
1
(vol.)=volunteered response
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
(Asked of those experiencing drought) Do you think the drought is mainly due to -- [ROTATED: global warming (or to) normal year-to-year variation in rainfall]?
Based on national adults
2014 Mar 6-9
2013 Mar 7-10
Yes, experiencing drought
25
30
(Due to global warming)
(9)
(11)
(Due to normal year-to-year variation in rainfall)
(15)
(17)
(Unspecified)
(1)
(2)
No, not experiencing drought
75
68
No opinion
1
1
(vol.)=volunteered response
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Which comes closer to your view -- [ROTATED: it is possible to take specific actions that will slow down the effects of global warming (or) the effects of global warming are part of a natural process that can't be altered]?
Possible to take actions to slow effects
Part of natural process that can't be altered
No opinion
%
%
%
2013 Mar 7-10
56
40
5
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
As you may know, representatives from around the world are gathering for a United Nations conference on global climate change in Copenhagen. Do you favor or oppose the U.S. signing a binding global treaty at the Copenhagen meeting that would require the U.S. to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2009 Dec 11-13
55
38
7
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
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 action
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2008 Mar 6-9
34
52
13
1
2007 Mar 11-14
38
48
13
1
2003 Mar 3-5
23
56
20
1
2002 Mar 4-7
26
58
14
2
2001 Mar 5-7
27
56
15
2
1995 Apr 17-19
35
48
15
2
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
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
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2008 Mar 6-9
28
55
17
*
2003 Mar 3-5 ^
23
61
15
1
2000 Apr 3-9
31
58
11
*
* Less than 0.5%; ^ Asked of a half sample
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
(Asked of those who have made changes in habits to help protect the environment) What are some of the specific changes you have made in your shopping and living habits to help protect the environment? [OPEN-ENDED]
Mar 6-9, 2008
%
Recycle/Recycle more
39
Drive less/Consolidate trips/Carpool
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
Upgrade to energy-saving appliances in home
4
Don't litter
3
Make home more energy efficient -- install new windows, insulation, solar panels, etc.
2
Other
7
None/Nothing
2
No opinion
12
Responses add to more than 100% due to multiple mentions
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Do you think the effects of global warming can be controlled if most people take steps such as driving less, recycling, and turning down their thermostat, or will more drastic measures be needed?
Can be controlled this way
More drastic measures needed
No opinion
%
%
%
2007 Mar 23-25
30
58
11
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
How much of a factor should the environmental record of a company be when you are deciding whether or not to buy one of its products? Should it be -- the most important factor, important, but not the most important factor, or should you not take this into account when deciding to buy products?
Most important factor
Important
Should not take into account
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2007 Mar 23-25
13
70
15
2
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
All in all, how good a job would you say you, personally, are doing in protecting the environment?
Excellent
Good
Only fair
Poor
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2007 Mar 23-25
7
52
34
5
1
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
How much optimism do you have that we will have our environmental problems well under control in twenty years -- that is, by about 2027 -- a great deal of optimism, only some optimism or hardly any optimism at all?
Great deal
Only some
Hardly any
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2007 Mar 11-14
15
57
26
1
2002 Mar 4-7 ^
17
61
21
1
2001 Mar 5-7
15
65
19
1
2000 Apr 3-9
18
60
21
1
1999 Apr 13-14
18
62
18
2
1991 Apr 11-14
19
60
18
2
1990 Apr 5-8
18
58
22
2
^ Asked of a half sample
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Thinking about the increase in strength of hurricanes in recent years, do you think global warming has been a major cause, a minor cause or not a cause of the increase in strength of hurricanes?
Major cause
Minor cause
Not a cause
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2006 Mar 13-16
35
33
26
6
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
As I read the following list, please tell me how much you trust each of the following to protect the quality of our nation's environment -- a great deal, a moderate amount, a slight amount or none at all? [RANDOM ORDER]
Since President Joe Biden took office, Americans' satisfaction with specific aspects of the country has mostly stalled or diminished, falling most on the nation's military strength, immigration, gun policy and energy policy.
The majority of Indians see climate change as a potential threat to their country in the next 20 years, but not all Indians perceive this threat in the same way.
