Climate Change and Human Responsibility

CHANGING TIDES t can't be denied any longer: Sea levels are rising, major droughts are continuing, and record hot summers are being experienced all around the world. A recent study conducted by Yale University and George Mason University finds that for the first time since the research began in 2008, the majority of Americans believe that global warming is mostly a man-made phenomenon. And as sobering images of catastrophes make headlines, people are recognizing that the effects of their actions are not just an increasing danger to the world but a direct threat to themselves and their families. SHIFTING IDEAS ABOUT HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY AND GLOBAL WARMING WHERE DOES THE BLAME LIE? (A A LOOMING THREAT... Just one year ago, 59% of surveyed Americans believed that global warming was a threat to future generations. Considering the number of cars on the road and the burning of fossil fuels, more people believe that global warming is primarily caused by human interference rather than pure natural changes in the environment. Today, 68% feel that way. More people are under the impression that global warming won't just harm the larger world; it will be felt personally. GLOBAL WARMING IS MOSTLY CAUSED BY... ...TO THE WORLD? PEOPLE IN THE US ..PEOPLE IN INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES PEOPLE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES GLOBAL WARMING WILL CAUSE A "MODERATE" OR "GREAT DEAL" OF HARM TO... ..HUMAN ACTIVITIES .NATURAL CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT Percent of respondents Percent of respondents 100% NOVEMBER '08 80% 64% 57% 57% O 57% 32% 60% 51% 52% 54% 50% 44% 45% 49% 50% 54% 46% 49% 52% 42% 42% 45% 44% 46% 50% 40% --- 20% JUNE '10 NOVEMBER 'O8 JANUARY '10 JUNE '10 MAY '11 NOVEMBER '11 MARCH '12 SEPTEMBER '12 50% 34% ...TO YOURSELF AND THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU? ..ME PERSONALLY ...MY FAMILY ...PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY GLOBAL WARMING WILL CAUSE A "MODERATE" OR "GREAT DEAL" OF HARM TO... NOVEMBER '11 Percent of respondents 100% 50% 33% 80% 60% 45% 46% 48% 39% 37% 40% 42% 42% SEPTEMBER '12 35% 34% 29% 34% 35% 40% -- 32% 31% 36%- 36% 30% 29% 33% 34% 20% --- O 54% 30% NOVEMBER '08 JANUARY '10 JUNE '10 MAY '11 NOVEMBER '11 MARCH 12 SEPTEMBER '12 SOURCE: YALE PROJECT ON CLIMATE CHANGE COMMUNICATION A COLLABORATION BET WEEN GOOD AND COLUMN FIVE