Winter 2022 – Energy & Environment Survey

Winter 2022 – Energy & Environment Survey

Key Findings Report

Below is a summary report that summarizes the key findings of the Winter 2022 Wave of the National Surveys on Energy and the Environment. This survey wave marks 25 years of the National Surveys on Energy and the Environment (NSEE).^ThThe series dates back to 2008 when the project was initiated by Muhlenberg College and University of Michigan. The Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion began producing the NSEE in 2020.

RELATED OP ED
Publics Prefer Emission Reduction Approach to Climate Change

Americans continue to favor reducing greenhouse gas emissions as their preferred approach for staving off the worst impacts of climate change, and remain skeptical of any pivot from mitigation toward climate policy that prioritizes adaptation, use of geoengineering or subterranean carbon storage, write Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, and Barry G. Rabe, nonresident senior fellow at The Brookings Institute.

PDF: Winter 2022 – National Surveys on Energy & Environment

KEY FINDING ONE – The American Acceptance for Global Warming Reaches the Highest Level Ever Recorded

The Winter 2022 results of the NSEE show that 76% believe there is evidence that global temperatures have risen over the past 40 years. This 76% acceptance mark is the highest since 2008, when the NSEE was launched. This latest survey is the 10th consecutive wave. It dates back to 2016, when at least 70% of Americans said there was strong evidence for global warming. This consistent high acceptance of climate change is a sign of Americans’ more durable views on the matter.

KEY FINDING TWO – A solid majority of Americans attribute global warming at least partially to human activity

According to the latest NSEE results, just under 6 percent of Americans (59%) believe that there is strong evidence of global warming. They also believe that human activity is at least partially responsible for the warming. This is the 12th NSEE result.^ThNSEE waves have been repeated since 2015. The majority of adults in the US believe that human activity is changing the planet’s climate. 37% of Americans stated that there is strong evidence that the planet is warming and that human activity is responsible. Additional 22% of Americans agreed that there is solid evidence for global warming and that humans are at most partially responsible. Nearly 1 in 5 adults (18%) believe that there is strong evidence of global warming. However, this is due to a natural cycle. This is the highest percentage of Americans that have fallen into this category since 2008, when the NSEE was launched.

KEY FINDINGS THREE: The Effects of Climate Change are felt by a majority of Americans

Are Americans living with climate change? The United States is experiencing climate change’s effects in their daily lives according to increasing scientific research.[1]According to the latest NSEE survey, 57% of adults in America agree that they have experienced the effects of climate change. People who live in the northeastern and western United States are most likely to say they have experienced climate changes. 61% of northeasterners reported experiencing it, while 60% of westerners said they have.

_{[1]The United States Environmental Protection Agency (2022). https://www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/impacts-climate-change}

I agree with the Statement. I have personally experienced the effects of climate changes.

KEY FINDING FOUR – Americans Continue to Prioritize Climate Mitigation as an Ellement of Climate Policy

Americans have accepted that there is a warming planet and have experienced the consequences of it. Efforts to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions have not been a success. Do Americans feel that climate policy should shift to adapting to climate change after the difficulties in mitigating the effects of climate change? The NSEE has repeatedly tested this proposition over the past ten years. 61% of Americans disagreed with the idea that we should not try to stop global warming. This was in 2022.  This result is very similar with the 2011 results where 66% of Americans opposed this idea. This suggests that most Americans don’t believe it is time to abandon mitigation as a priority in their climate policy, despite a decade of increasing evidence of climate change and limited mitigation policy achievements.

Level of agreement with the Statement. Instead of trying to stop global heating from happening, we should instead focus on adapting to a more warm climate.

KEY FINDING FIVE. The majority of Americans see Climate Change as a Public Health Emergency 

Research is proving that climate change has significant health implications. There are a variety of health effects that climate change can have on the public, including exacerbated heat-related diseases and increased exposure to vector-borne disease and natural disasters.[2]The NSEE results show that a majority of Americans (56%) agree that climate change is a major public health emergency. Over a third (37%), strongly agree with this assessment. As with many aspects in public opinion on climate issues, partisanship is a major determinant of American views regarding the public health threats associated with climate change. More than 8 out 10 Democrats (82%) agree with the dire need for climate change. Only 1 in 4 Republicans (27%) disagree.

Level of agreement with the statement, Climate change is a public emergency.

_{[2]Fourth National Climate Assessment (2018) https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/}

METHOD
_{The following report includes the results of a phone survey of 720 adult residents in the United States between January 13th and February 8th 2022..Respondents were interviewed on both landlines (202) as well as cell phones (518) in English. The margin of error in the surveys is +/– 5% with a random sample of respondents.. For questions with a smaller sample size, the margins of error will be greater.Not only is sampling error a problem, but also question wording and other fielding issues can introduce error or bias to survey results. To reflect national characteristics, the sample data has been weighted based on gender, race and income. The above weighting has an impact on the calculation of sampling error..Both landlines and cell phones can be called up to five times to reach representative samples of American adults. Marketing Systems Group, Horsham, Pennsylvania generated the sample for this project. The American Association of Public Opinion Research RRII (AAPOR), calculated the response rate for this survey at approximately 6%. The frequency report may not include 100% because of rounding. Dr. Christopher P. Borick (Director of the survey instrument) designed the entire survey instrument. It is presented in its entirety in this section. Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion(MCIPO), and Professor of Politic Science in collaboration with Dr. Erick Lachapele of the University of Montreal. The survey was exclusively funded by Muhlenberg College. For more information on the methods used, please contact MCIPO at 484-664-3444, or email Dr. Borick. [email protected].}

WINTER 2022 NSEE

SURVEY INSTRUMENT AND FREQUENCY REPORT

Fielding Dates: February 13th, 2022.

Sample Size:  720 Adults in the United States

Method: Telephone (72% Cell, 28% Landline)

Margin of Error:  +/- 4.5%

AAPOR Response rate (II): 6% 

Rounding can cause totals not to equal 100%

Hello. We are conducting research on environmental issues in the United States. If you could help us, would you be willing to answer a few questions?

Yes…………………1
No………………….2 (Thank and terminate)
Not sure …………98? (Thank and Terminate)
Refused………….99 (Thank and terminate)                   

Q1: I’m grateful. Please tell me the year in which you were born. (GROUPED INTO CATERERIA)

• 18-29…21%
• 30-44…25%
• 45-64…30% 
• 65+…25%

Q2: In which state are you currently residing? (GROUPED INTO REGIONS)

• Northeast22%
• South…34%
• Midwest….25%
• West..19%

Q3: I have a few questions for you on global warming. Is there any evidence that the earth’s average temperature has increased over the past 40 years, based on what you have read and heard?

•  Yes …..76%  
•  No ……………. 17%    (SKIP TO Q8)
•  Not Sure (Volunteered) 8%    (SKIP TO Q10)

QUESTIONS 4 – 7 CAN ONLY BE ANSWERED BY INDIVIDUALS THAT INDICATED SOLID EVIDENCE OF GLOBAL ARMING (Yes, Question Three).

Q4: How confident are you that the average temperature on earth is increasing? Are you confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not sure that the average global temperature is increasing?

• Very confident…63%
• …..29% – Fairly confident
• Not too confidant… 5%
• Not confident at all  2%
• Not Sure (Volunteered)… 1%

Q5: Is the earth becoming warmer mainly because of human activity like burning fossil fuels or because of natural patterns in its environment?

• Human activity…. 49%  Skip to Q7
• Natural patterns22%  Skip to Q7
• A combination (Volunteered)…… 24%  Go to Q6
• Not Sure (Volunteered)..5%  Skip to Q7

Q6. I know you said it was a combination but if you had the choice, would your answer be that temperatures are rising Mostly Because of human activity Mostly Natural patterns?

• ……65% Human activity
• Natural patterns.18%
• Equal (Volunteered).16%
• Not Sure (Volunteered) 2%

Q7: What is the primary factor that has caused you to believe that temperatures on earth are increasing? 
OPEN-ENDED QUESTION: RESPONSES CODED TO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES

• Human Activity….  26%
• Warmer Temperatures Have Been Observed. 19%  
• Scientific Research..  15% 
• Weather Changes  14%  
• Natural Patterns..  6%   
• Melting Glaciers/Polar Ice…   5%   
• Media Coverage…..   5%            
• Ocean Changes.   1%   
• Wildfires…………….. 1%   
• Declining Species…   1% 
• Not Sure/Other…    6%   

QUESTIONS 8 AND 9 CAN ONLY BE ANSWERED BY INDIVIDUALS IF THEY INDICATE THAT THERE IS NOT SOLID EVIIDENCE OF GLOBAL ARMING (No in Question 3).

Q8. How confident do you feel that the average temperatures are not rising?  Are you confident, somewhat confident, not too sure or not at all certain that the average global temperature is not rising?

• Very confident……………………………………………… 45%
• Fairly confident……………………………………………. 30%
• Not too confident…………………………………………. 14%
• Not confident at all………………………………………. 10%
• Not Sure (Volunteered)…………………………………. 2%

Q9: Which primary factor makes you believe that the temperature on Earth is not rising? 
OPEN-ENDED QUESTION: RESPONSES CODED TO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES

• Personal Observations…38%                   
• Natural Patterns/Cycles.28%  
• …..12% is Disproved by Evidence  
• Religious Factors…5% 
• …..5% Political Factors 
• ….4: No Evidence
• Media has misled. 2%
• Not Sure/Other…6%

**ALL RESPONDENTS**

Q10: Is global warming a serious problem?

• 49% – Very serious 49%
• Somewhat serious…  20%
• ….15% not too serious
• It’s not a problem…15%
• Not Sure (Volunteered)…1%

QUESTIONS 11 AND 12 WERE ROTATED

Q11: What do you think climate change will do to you personally? (READ LIST)

• A great deal…21%
• A moderate amount ……26%
• Only a little… 23%
• Or not at all 29%
• Not Sure (Volunteered)..    1%

Q12: What do you think climate changes will do to people living in the United States? (READ LIST)

• A great deal…36%
• A moderate amount ……27%
• Only a tiny bit… 16%
• Or not at ALL 17%
• Not Sure (Volunteered)..  4%

Q13:  When do you think climate change will start to harm people living in the United States? (READ LIST)

• In 10 years
• 25 years..8%
• 50 years..7%
• 100 years..7%
• Never.17%
• Or do you think climate change is already harming people in the United States?…………48%
• Not Sure (Volunteered)4%

Q14: Have you noticed any significant changes in the weather patterns around your home over the past year?

• Yes….60%
• No…38%
• Not Sure (Volunteered).. 2% (SKIP TO Q16)

Q15: What changes do you personally see?
OPEN-ENDED QUESTION: RESPONSES CODED TO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES

• Temperatures have risen by 25%
• Extreme Weather and Storms11%
• Milder Winters ….10%
• Hurricane/Tornado Activity…   7%
• Drought and decreased rainfall 7%
• Less snow..
• Change in Seasons.
• Increased Rain and Flooding..  5%
• Colder/More Snow.. 5%
• Weather Variations  4%
• Temperature Fluctuation & Changes 4%
• Wildfires.  3%
• Miscellaneous Changes  3%
• Changes in Flora and Fauna …..1%
• Ocean Related Changes 1%
• Generally Different/Not Certain… 1%

Q16: How would you describe the weather in your area over the past year? Would you describe it as:

• A LOT warmer than usual………………………………………….. 20%
• SLIGHTLY warmer than usual…………………………………….. 33%
• SLIGHTLY cooler than usual………………………………………. 7%
• A LOT cooler than usual……………………………………………. 4%
• Or about the same as usual?…………………………………….. 34%
• Not sure (Volunteered)…………………………………………….. 2%

QUESTIONS Q17 – Q26 WERE ROTATED IN RANDOMLY

Please indicate your agreement or disagreement with the following statements. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree or somewhat disagree with each statement. First,

Q27: NASA recently reported the fourth hottest planet year since records began in 1880. Which of these statements best describes your opinion on the NASA report that 2021 is the fourth hottest since 1880? (READ LIST)

• The record heat is evidence global warming is occurring and is caused primarily …..55%
• Global warming is evident by the record heat, but it is primarily due to a natural cycle…26%
• Or the NASA temperature reports are based on flawed measurements, and global warming is not happening.
• Not sure (Vol.7)

Q28: Next, I will read you a list containing possible actions the United States could take to combat climate change. Which of these actions do you believe the United States should take the most important? [READ LIST]

• Promoting greenhouse gas reductions in order to limit climate change42%
• Learn how to adapt to a warmer climate that is the result from climate change.13%
• Promote geoengineering and scientific solutions to combat climate change.20%
• All equally important (VOLUNTEERED)…..10%
• None of these are important (VOLUNTEERED )….10%)
• Not sure (VOLUNTEERED )… 5%

Q29: How much would you pay if you had to pay more each year for more renewable energy? Would you pay it? [READ LIST]

• Nothing every year.42%
• 1-50 dollars per year 14%
• 50 to 100 dollars a year  13%
• 100 to 250 dollars a year..  9%
• 250 to 500 dollars a year..  6%
• More than 500 dollars per year… 11%
• Not Sure (Volunteered)…  5%

Q30: One way to reduce greenhouse gasses and address climate change is to impose a CARBON TTAX on fuels like natural gas, oil, and coal. Do you strongly support, somewhat back, somewhat oppose, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose this policy.

• Strongly support..22%
• Some support.19%
• Somewhat contrary..11%
• Strongly opposed42%
• Don’t ask [DO NOT READ].6%

Q31: Let’s answer a few questions about ourselves. Which of these categories best describes your racial identity  Which of the following categories best describes you? [READ LIST]

• White/Caucasian…60%
• African-American..12%
• Hispanic/Latino…15%
• Asian……..  5%
• Native American….  2%
• Mixed race…..  5%
• Other ..  2%

Q32: Which one of the following categories best describes you religious affiliation?  Do you identify with the following categories? [READ LIST]

• Protestant…. 31%
• Catholic… 25%
• Jewish…… 3%
• Muslim ….. 1%
• Hindu…….. 1%
• Other religion (including the agnostic) 30%
• Atheist…   5%
• Not Sure (Volunteered)….4%

Q33: Which one of these statements best describes your feelings regarding the Bible? [READ LIST]

• 28%
• The Bible is God’s inspired word. However, not all the information in it should be.
  Literally, word for word.43%
• The Bible is an ancient text of legends, fables, and history.
• Men are responsible for recording moral precepts…24%
• Not Sure (Volunteered).. 5%

Q34: What level of education are you at? [READ LIST]

• 4% of High School Graduates.  4%
• High School Graduate.29%
• 27% – Some college or technical school
• 25% College Graduate 25%
• ……16% – Graduate or professional degree

Q35: Which one of the following best describes you as a member of a political party?  [READ LIST]

• Democrat…. 33%
• Republican…26%
• Other party…..  6%
• Independent …. 31%
• Not Sure (Volunteered)…… 3%

Q36: Which of these best describes your political beliefs and opinions?  [READ LIST]

• Very Conservative………………………………………..16%
• Somewhat Conservative……………………………….. 20%
• Moderate………………………………..………………….33%            
• Somewhat Liberal…………………………………………14%
• Very Liberal…………………………………………………13%
• Not sure (Volunteered)…………………………………. 5%

Q37: Which one of the following categories best describes you family’s income? Is it? [READ LIST]

• Less than 20,000 ….13%
• 20,000-40,000…………….14%
• 40,000-60,000…..20%
• 60,000-80,000…………….16%
• 80,000-100,000…14%
• More than 100,000. 22%
• Not Sure (Volunteered) …  2%

Q38: What is your current zip code?

Q39: Lastly, which gender identity do your most identify with? (READ THE LIST)

• Male………………………… 49%
• Female……………………51%
• Transgender Male……………………………………..0%
• Transgender Female……………………………………<1%
• Or you do not identify as male or female ……….. <1%