Majority of Americans think people impact climate change
57% of Americans now believe that human activity and natural causes are affecting Earth’s climate. Among them, most oppose President Trump’s pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement and 63% think the nations of the world should all work together to improve the global environment.
Even so, a majority are not making lifestyle choices that might have an impact.
David Wallace-Wells’ recent New York Magazine article painted a vivid picture of the future with regards to the environment. New data from YouGov suggests that while most Americans are coming to terms with climate change, many aren’t doing much, if anything, about it.
We asked respondents about their consumption of fossil fuels and red meat, both of which have been noted for their impact on Earth’s ecosystems. Commercial beef production, for instance, accounts for more greenhouse gas each year than all the cars on the planet. 13% of climate change believers said they’ve greatly reduced their consumption of red meat, and 17% said they’ve reduced a little. 66% haven’t changed their habits at all.
Climate change believers were also asked about how their fossil fuel consumption has changed since hearing about climate change. 9% have cut back a lot, while 54% haven’t changed their consumption at all.
However, a number of respondents have increased how much they recycle and practice sustainable waste management habits, like composting or reusing, since hearing about climate change. 53% have to some degree increased their responsible waste management, while 44% have not changed their habits at all.
We also asked climate change believers how much longer they think the earth will be habitable for humans if no changes are made in how humans currently use fossil fuels, reduce waste, or otherwise manage their environmental footprint. The most popular response: under 300 years.
See full results here.
