April 24, 2006

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States are aware of climate change, according to a poll by the Center for Survey Research and Analysis at the University of Connecticut. 66 per cent of respondents think the claim of a gradual warming of the earth's atmosphere caused by carbon dioxide emissions is completely or probably true.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States are aware of climate change, according to a poll by the Center for Survey Research and Analysis at the University of Connecticut. 66 per cent of respondents think the claim of a gradual warming of the earth's atmosphere caused by carbon dioxide emissions is completely or probably true.

The term global warming refers to an increase of the Earth's average temperature. Some theories say that climate change might be the result of human-generated carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

In 1998, several countries agreed to the Kyoto Protocol, a proposed amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement commits nations to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The U.S. signed the protocol but has not ratified it.

In July 2005 at the G-8 summit in Perthshire, Scotland, the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States promised to implement a "new dialogue" on climate change, deeming the issue a "serious long-term challenge" for the planet.

In his Apr. 22 radio address, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed his environmental policies, saying, "I have proposed the Advanced Energy Initiative to change the way we power our homes, businesses, and cars. I will visit the California Fuel Cell Partnership to take a closer look at hydrogen fuel cells, one of the exciting new technologies supported by my initiative. These fuel cells have the potential to revolutionize the way we power our cars by giving us vehicles that will emit no pollution and will be more efficient than gas-powered cars."

Polling Data

Some people say we are experiencing a gradual warming of the earth's atmosphere caused by carbon dioxide emissions from sources like cars, factories and power plants. Other people say changes in the earth's atmosphere occur naturally, and there is no conclusive evidence to directly link carbon-based emissions to increases in global temperatures. In your opinion, which of those statements comes closer to the truth?

Warming of atmosphere caused by emissions is completely true	30%
Warming of atmosphere caused by emissions is somewhat true	36%
Changes in atmosphere occur naturally somewhat true	20%
Changes in atmosphere occur naturally completely true	11%
Don't know	4%

Source: Center for Survey Research and Analysis at the University of Connecticut
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 639 American adults, conducted from Mar. 23 to Apr. 4, 2006. Margin of error is 4 per cent.

Complete Poll (PDF)

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