A majority of the public report personal impacts from extreme weather in the last five years, and most think climate change was the reason. Half of adults have become more concerned about climate change in the last year. In discussing climate change, many adults learn or teach new information, though fewer report changing opinions.
Seventy-one percent of the public believes climate change is happening, 12% believe climate change is not happening, and 16% are not sure, numbers that have not changed much in the last seven years of AP-NORC polling. Democrats are more likely to believe climate change is happening (91%) compared to independents (62%) and Republicans (52%).
Of those who believe climate change is happening, 63% think it is the result of human activity. Just 7% believe it is caused by natural changes in the environment, while 30% say believe it is caused by both equally. Democrats are more likely to believe climate change stems from human activity (78%) compared to independents (52%) and Republicans (38%). CONTINUED
AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research
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