Most Americans support government action to combat the effects of global warming and will likely vote for candidates who put forth a promising stance on environmental issues, a new poll has found.
The telephone poll — conducted by The New York Times, Stanford University and the nonpartisan environmental research group Resources for the Future — surveyed 1,006 adults across the nation from Jan. 7 to 22. Participants were asked questions such as whether they think climate change is human-caused, if global warming is perceived as a serious threat and if they have strong opinions on the matter. Respondents were also probed about government-related issues, including whether they think the government should limit greenhouse gases and how a candidate’s opinion on climate change affects their vote.
The poll found that eight in 10 Americans think that climate change is human-caused, including 88 percent of Democrats, 83 percent of Independents and 71 percent of Republicans. Roughly two-thirds of Americans also said a candidate’s stance on global warming influences how they vote, which has implications for the 2016 presidential campaigns. The findings suggest a growing concern nationwide, as the public worries about the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. [The Reality of Climate Change: 10 Myths Busted]