After three record-warm years in a row, Americans are once again evenly split on the seriousness of global warming.
Half of American adults are “concerned believers” of global warming, fearing it’s a serious man-made problem that will pose a threat during their lifetime. It’s the first time in 16 years Gallup has put 50 percent of Americans in this category.
On the other hand, 50 percent of Americans are in the “mixed middle” or ‘cool skeptics” category when it comes to global warming. Skeptics think global warming is exaggerated and not a serious threat.
Those in the “mixed middle” mostly believes warming is man-made and a concern, but only one-third think it will pose a threat in their lifetimes. Nearly half of middlers believe the media has exaggerated the issue: “50% of Americans now take all aspects of global warming seriously — classifying them as Concerned Believers,” Gallup reported.
“That contrasts with most years from 2001 through 2016, when Gallup found the majority qualifying as Mixed Middle or Cool Skeptics on the issue.”
The percentage of global warming “believers” shot up from 37 percent in 2015 to 47 percent in 2016. That number shot up slightly again in 2017 to 50 percent. Climate scientists declared 2014, 2015 and 2016 the warmest years on record.
Wacky weather definitely plays a role in how the public perceives the validity of global warming, according to Gallup. One-third of Americans, for example, believe global warming played a role in this winter’s warm weather.
President Obama could have also played a role in changing Americans’ perception of the issue by making a concerted push in his second term to impose global warming policies.
President Trump could have also amplified worries about global warming among Democrats. Trump promised to roll back Obama-era climate policies, which may have some liberals more concerned about warming down the road.
4times, you’re exactly right. The leftist media have well-developed selective memories when it comes to anecdotal global warming issues. What makes it worse is when so-called researchers funded by left wing sources overlook or actually erase events that counterbalance the apocalyptic outcomes demanded by their political benefactors.
Humans who are attuned to a more outdoors or agrarian lifestyle are not so quick to buy the alarmist hype. Farmers are the best. They’re in it for the long-haul, often for generations, and their immediate incomes depend upon making the best of weather cycles. As such they don’t tend to panic or see these cycles and even long-term climate shifts as anything new or necessarily man-made. Instead they observe, plan, adjust, and adapt – as successful farmers have always done.
OTOH. some dude with a 4-year snow boarding business is typically younger, less connected to reliable news sources (Snap Chat and Twitter don’t count) and tends to be much more shaped by popular media and its political agenda.
Look closely at whom the left cites for anecdotal climate change sources…
Regarding farmers: We KNOW that we can’t change the weather. Anyone who claims that we can is a liar. Asking for a sacrifice (carbon tax) exposes them completely.
These people who waffle on the issue really should check in with the other half of the northern hemisphere. They weren’t so fortunate. And we should be thankful for the warmth. We WILL get payback.
Just a reminder, though, we had a bitterly cold December with January-like temps. It’s one of those things people tend to forget after winter is over – along with how much snow we received (see sample). Need to start taking photos of thermometer readings, too, I guess.
https://www.facebook.com/fourtimesayear/photos/a.427072877441780.1073741829.360297500785985/443744235774644/?type=3&theater
We’ve come a long way since Piltdown Man. Or not.
Given the trillions of taxpayer dollars diverted to fund a single predetermined “scientific” outcome, and given the politically coordinated 24/7 media/Hollywood blitz to overwhelm the American people, and given that most Americans now get their news from popular social media and comedy talk shows, it’s frankly amazing that the socialist propaganda wave can’t break 50%