Study by Resolution Research finds that a majority of Americans believe global warming exists, and that concerted action is needed at both the individual and institutional levels to combat it.
Denver, Colorado — April 20, 2009 — Despite differences in age, education level and political affiliation, a majority of Americans are united in the belief that global warming is a proven scientific fact, according to consumer research released today, but they are split on how to fight it.
Among respondents, 62 percent said they believe global warming is proven, while one-quarter (26 percent) said it is merely a theory. The remaining 12 percent said they did not know enough about the issue to conclude one way or the other.
“If doubt is an impediment to effective action, then it’s good news that nearly two-thirds of those surveyed in our study feel global warming is scientifically demonstrable,” said Nina Nichols president of Resolution Research, a full-service market research company based in Denver, Colorado.
Resolution Research teamed up with CSG|PR, a public relations agency with a specialized practice in environmental sustainability, to conduct the research of 811 on consumer perceptions of global warming and the extent of their “green” activities.
“What is most remarkable about these findings is the unanimity of agreement among Americans from all walks of life,” continued Nichols. “This kind of consensus drives broad-based consumer behavior—and potentially profound change.”
Among other findings:
Participants: Participants were drawn from http://www.ResolutionPanel.com, Resolution Research’s internal custom panel of thousands of persons who’ve freely joined to participate in market research studies such as this.
Political Affiliation
- Nearly half (47%) of those who feel global warming is a scientific fact are Democrats while slightly more than half (51%) of those who feel it is a theory are Republicans.
- The vast majority (80%) of the Democrats in the sample said they feel global warming is a fact. There is less consensus, however, among the Republicans – 38% of whom feel global warming is a fact while 49% feel it is a theory. Among Independents, nearly two-thirds (64%) feel it is a fact while 22% feel it is a theory.
Age differences
- The youngest respondents in the sample – those between the ages of 19-24 – are most inclined to regard global warming as a scientific fact. In all, 77% of these respondents feel it is a fact, while only 17% regard it as a theory and only 6% were ‘unsure’.
- Only 53% of those in the 35-44 age category said they feel global warming is a scientific fact; and, about one-quarter of them feel it is a theory. And, while 10% (or less) of those in the other age categories said they were ‘unsure’, 20% of the respondents in the 35-44 age category said they did not know enough about the topic to conclude one way or the other.
Approaches to solutions
- More than half (59%) of those who feel global warming is a scientific fact feel the government should be regulating green practices among businesses (compared to 24% among those who feel it is a theory and 41% among those who are ‘unsure’
- While fewer respondents feel the government should be regulating green practices among consumers, a larger percentage of those who feel global warming is a fact (40%) think the government should do so (compared to 13% of those who feel global warming is a theory and 30% of those who are ‘unsure’).
More than half of the 811 respondents, among a Resolution Research consumer panel, feel current efforts to curb the effects of global warming are either headed in the right direction or will eventually prove effective despite the environmental damage that has already been done. Perhaps more significantly, only 6% of the respondents feel too much damage has already been done for any effort to be effective. However, slightly more than one-third (36%) are concerned that not enough is currently being done to curb the effects of global warming.
About Resolution Research
Resolution Research is an independent, full service market research firm conducting studies in the hi-tech, medical, education, utilities industries & more. Study types include telephone & online surveys, in-depth interviews, clinical trials, focus groups, taste tests, mock juries, and online bulletin boards. Resolution Research is committed to providing its clients actionable solutions to improve their ROI by aiding decision-making abilities in the boardroom. For more information, go to www.ResolutionResearch.com.
Resolution Research hosts three panels: consumer, medical professionals, & IT/business execs. Persons interested in joining – or participating in studies like this – are welcome to visit the www.ResolutionPanel.com to learn more.
For more information, please contact:
Resolution Research
Hayden Geller, Press Manager
Office: 303-830-2345
Fax: 888-635-4859
E-mail: hayden.geller@re-search.com
www.ResolutionResearch.com
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