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03/29/2024 05:27:37 am

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New Poll Reveals More Americans Now Believe in Climate Change

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(Photo : Reuters) Unabated air pollution

A new poll analysis of the general attitudes of Americans when it comes to climate change reveals 63 percent of Americans believe climate change is already occurring.

The study also reveals that 48 percent of the entire U.S. population and 45 percent of Utah locals believe that global warming is caused by human activities. About 97 percent of the scientific community also believes global warming is anthropogenic or man-made.

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In West Virginia, 54 percent think climate change is now occurring along with more than 70 percent of Hawaiians, Californians and New Yorkers. About 60 percent of Utah citizens believe that climate change is a fact.

This survey was conducted in all 50 states and 12,000 Americans participated in this study. Researchers noted that local and state surveys can be time-intensive and expensive since most national polls are conducted at a national level only.

This latest model backed-up by the latest data marks the first time full geographic diversity is shown from public opinion all over the U.S.

The basic concept of this research was to develop a mapping tool derived from public opinion and based on geographic differences in the U.S., according to the lead author of the study Peter Howe.

Howe, who is from the Utah State University's Department of Environment and Society, said this data can greatly affect decisions on how to respond to climate change on a state and local level, which is important to find out what people think about climate change at these levels.

This mapping tool is called the "Yale Climate Opinion Maps" that lets people explore public opinion about global warming in more geographic detail. The survey results aid in visualizing data and also determining patterns. Howe said a large scale project such as this has never been attempted in the past.

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