November 20, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in the United States are concerned about climate change, according to a poll by YouGov/Polimetrix released by The Economist. 82 per cent of respondents say they understand the issue of global warming very or fairly well, and 71 per cent call it a very or somewhat serious problem.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in the United States are concerned about climate change, according to a poll by YouGov/Polimetrix released by The Economist. 82 per cent of respondents say they understand the issue of global warming very or fairly well, and 71 per cent call it a very or somewhat serious problem.

As far as the 2008 U.S. presidential election, 50 per cent of respondents say a candidate’s position on global warming would be extremely or very important in their decision, while 50 per cent deem it somewhat important or not that important.

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. Earlier this year, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report which states that global warming has been "very likely"—or 90 per cent certain—caused by humans burning fossil fuels.

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. has not ratified the treaty, which is due to expire in 2012.

On Nov. 17, the IPCC released a new report, which claims global warming is "unequivocal" and predicts severe water shortages in Africa and river and coastal flooding in Asia. UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon discussed the findings, saying, "Only urgent, global action will do. I look forward to seeing the U.S. and China playing a more constructive role. (...) Both countries can lead in their own way."

Polling Data

How well do you feel you understand the issue of "global warming" (sometimes called the "greenhouse effect")?

Very well	28%
Fairly well	54%
Not very well	16%
Not at all	2%

How serious a problem do you think global warming is?

Very serious	44%
Somewhat serious	27%
Not very serious	24%
Unsure	4%

If the presidential election were held today, how important would a candidate’s position on global warming be in your decision?

Extremely important	22%
Very important	28%
Somewhat important	26%
Not that important	24%

Source: YouGov/Polimetrix / The Economist
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13, 2007. No margin of error was provided.