(Credit: Graphic by London Shearer Allen)

Read the poll report and op-ed by David Moore.

PSRAI obtained telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,002 adults living in the continental United States. Telephone interviews were conducted by landline (502) and cell phone (500, including 270 without a landline phone). Interviews were done in English and Spanish by Princeton Data Source from July 17-20, 2014. Statistical results are weighted to correct known demographic discrepancies. The margin of sampling error for the complete set of weighted data is ± 3.6 percentage points.

Final Topline Results

July 21, 2014

Total: 1,002 adults age 18 and older
Margin of error: plus or minus 3.6 percentage points
Half Sample A: 517 adults age 18 and older
Margin of error: plus or minus 5.0 percentage points
Half Sample B: 485 adults age 18 and older
Margin of error: plus or minus 5.1 percentage points
Interviewing dates: July 17-20, 2014

LANDLINE INTRODUCTION:
Hello, my name is _________________ and I’m calling for Princeton Survey Research. We’re conducting a study about some important issues today, and would like to include your household. [RANDOMIZE RESPONDENT SELECTION: May I please speak with the YOUNGEST ADULT MALE, age 18 or older, who is now at home? (IF NO MALE AT HOME NOW, ASK: May I please speak with the YOUNGEST ADULT FEMALE, age 18 or older, who is now at home?) / May I please speak with the YOUNGEST ADULT FEMALE, age 18 or older, who is now at home? (IF NO FEMALE AT HOME NOW, ASK: May I please speak with the YOUNGEST ADULT MALE, age 18 or older, who is now at home?)]

CELL PHONE INTRO:
Hello, I am ___ calling for Princeton Survey Research. We’re conducting a study about some important issues today. [IF RESPONDENT SAYS DRIVING/UNABLE TO TAKE CALL: Thank you. We will try you another time…]

CELL PHONE SCREENING INTERVIEW:
S1.    Are you under 18 years old, OR are you 18 or older? [CONTINUE IF 18 OR OLDER; ALL OTHERS TERMINATE] READ TO ALL CELL PHONE – INTRODUCTION TO MAIN INTERVIEW: If you are now driving a car or doing any activity requiring your full attention, I need to call you back later. The first question is…

Notes: Due to rounding, percentages may not add to 100%. An asterisk (*) indicates values less than 0.5%. Volunteered responses are indicated by (VOL.).

1A    Next, I would like to ask you some questions about the issue of global warming or climate change. How much do you feel you understand about this issue—would you say a great deal, a moderate amount, only a little, or nothing at all?

BASED ON HALF SAMPLE A
%
21     A great deal
41     A moderate amount
26     Only a little
11     Nothing at all
1     (VOL.) Don’t know
*     (VOL.) Refused

1B    Next, I would like to ask you some questions about the issue of global warming or climate change. How closely are you following this issue: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not closely at all?

BASED ON HALF SAMPLE B
%
22     Very closely
41     Somewhat closely
15     Not too closely
21     Not closely at all
1     (VOL.) Don’t know
*     (VOL.) Refused

2    Which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion about climate change? [READ IN ORDER FOR SAMPLE C; READ IN REVERSE ORDER FOR SAMPLE D; ALWAYS READ 4 LAST]

%
49     It is happening now, caused mainly by human activities
28     It is happening now, but caused mainly by natural forces
7     It is NOT happening now
15     Aren’t sure about whether climate change is happening now
1     (VOL.) Refused

2A    Do you feel pretty sure about that, or do you have a lot of doubt?

BASED ON HAS OPINION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (N=834)
%
87     Feel pretty sure
11     Have a lot of doubt
2     (VOL.) Don’t know
2B    Do you lean toward one view or another? [REPEAT 1-3 IF NECESSARY; ROTATE IN SAME ORDER AS UNH2]

BASED ON DOESN’T HAVE OPINION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (N=168)
%
24     It is happening now, caused mainly by human activities
21     It is happening now, but caused mainly by natural forces
10     It is NOT happening now
39     (VOL.) Don’t lean/Still aren’t sure about whether climate change is happening now
7     (VOL.) Refused

3    Which of the following two statements do you think is more accurate?
[READ IN ORDER FOR SAMPLE C; READ IN REVERSE ORDER FOR SAMPLE D; ALWAYS READ 3 LAST]

%
44     Most scientists agree that climate change is happening now, caused mainly by human activities
21     There is little agreement among scientists whether climate change, caused mainly by human activities, is happening now
33     Unsure what scientists believe about climate change
3     (VOL.) Refused

3A    Do you feel pretty sure about that, or do you have a lot of doubt?

BASED ON CHOSE A STATEMENT (N=662)
%
91     Feel pretty sure
9     Have a lot of doubt
*     (VOL.) Don’t know
*     (VOL.) Refused

3B    Do you lean toward one view or the other? [REPEAT 1-2 IF NECESSARY; ROTATE IN SAME ORDER AS UNH3]

BASED ON DID NOT CHOOSE A STATEMENT (N=340)
%
29     Most scientists agree that climate change is happening now, caused mainly by human activities
30     There is little agreement among scientists whether climate change, caused mainly by human activities, is happening now
34     (VOL.) Don’t lean/ Still unsure what scientists believe about climate change
8     (VOL.) Refused

4A    Would you approve or disapprove of the Federal Government requiring power plants to reduce greenhouse gases, even if it would mean higher utility bills for consumers, or are you unsure?

BASED ON HALF SAMPLE A
%
36     Approve
32     Disapprove
31     Unsure/Don’t Know
1     (VOL.) Refused

4AA    If the Federal Government DOES NOT require companies to reduce greenhouse gases, would you be… [READ]

BASED ON APPROVE OF FED GOVT REQUIREMENTS (N=198)
%
23     Very upset
43     Somewhat upset
18     Not too upset
15     Not upset at all
1     (VOL.) Don’t know
*     (VOL.) Refused

4AB    If the Federal Government DOES require companies to reduce greenhouse gases, would you be… [READ]

BASED ON DISAPPROVE OF FED GOVT REQUIREMENTS (N=162)
%
46     Very upset
29     Somewhat upset
8     Not too upset
12     Not upset at all
4     (VOL.) Don’t know
1     (VOL.) Refused

4B    Would you approve or disapprove of the Obama Administration requiring power plants to reduce greenhouse gases, even if it would mean higher utility bills for consumers, or are you unsure?

BASED ON HALF SAMPLE B
%
42     Approve
28     Disapprove
30     Unsure/Don’t Know
*     (VOL.) Refused

4BA    If the Obama Administration DOES NOT require companies to reduce greenhouse gases, would you be… [READ]

BASED ON APPROVE OF OBAMA ADMIN REQUIREMENTS (N=200)
%
29     Very upset
41     Somewhat upset
16     Not too upset
12     Not upset at all
1     (VOL.) Don’t know
1     (VOL.) Refused

4BB    If the Obama Administration DOES require companies to reduce greenhouse gases, would you be… [READ]

BASED ON DISAPPROVE OF OBAMA ADMIN REQUIREMENTS (N=143)
%
50     Very upset
28     Somewhat upset
11     Not too upset
9     Not upset at all
1     (VOL.) Don’t know
1     (VOL.) Refused

DEMOGRAPHICS

I have one last set of questions to help us better understand the people who took part in our survey.

SEX    Respondent’s sex [DO NOT ASK] %
50     Male
50     Female

AGE     What is your age?
%
21     18 to 29
32      30 to 49
27      50 to 64
17      65 and older
3      (VOL.) Refused

EDUC    What is the highest level of school you have completed or the highest degree you have received? [DO NOT READ] %
4     Less than high school (Grades 1-8 or no formal schooling)
6     High school incomplete (Grades 9-11 or Grade 12 with NO diploma)
31     High school graduate (Grade 12 with diploma or GED certificate)
18     Some college, no degree (includes some community college)
13     Two year associate degree from a college/university
16     Four year college or university degree/Bachelor’s degree
2     Some postgraduate or professional schooling, no postgraduate degree
10     Postgraduate or professional degree, including master’s, doctorate, medical or law degree
*     Don’t know/Refused

SUMMARY: RACE/ETHNICITY
HISP    Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban or some other Spanish background?
RACE    What is your race? Are you white, black, Asian, or some other race? [IF RESPONDENT SAYS HISPANIC OR LATINO, PROBE: Do you consider yourself a WHITE (Hispanic/Latino) or a BLACK (Hispanic/Latino)?
%
65        White, non-Hispanic
33        Total non-White
12         Black, non-Hispanic
15         Hispanic
2         Asian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
4         Other, non-Hispanic
2       (VOL.) Don’t know/Refused

SUMMARY: INCOME
INC    Last year – that is, in 2013 – approximately what was your total family income before taxes? Just tell me when I get to the right category.
INC1    [IF “DON’T KNOW” OR “REFUSED”, ASK:] Keeping in mind that this is a completely confidential survey, can you please tell me if your total household income BEFORE taxes last year was over or under $75,000?
INC2    [IF UNDER $75,000, ASK:] Was it over or under $50,000?
INC3    [IF UNDER $50,000, ASK:] Was it over or under $30,000?
%
26     $75,000 or more
13     $50,000 to under $75,000
18     $30,000 to under $50,000
31     Under $30,000
11     Undesignated

REG     Which of these statements best describes you? [READ IN ORDER] %
PARTY    In politics TODAY, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, or Independent?
%
24     Republican
30     Democrat
32     Independent
8     (VOL.) No preference
1     (VOL.) Other party
5     (VOL.) Don’t know/Refused

PARTYLN (If not “Republican or Democrat”) Do you lean toward one party or the other?

NET RESULT OF PARTY AND PARTYLN:

%
24     Republican
13     Lean Republican
20     No lean-neither party
13     Lean Democrat
30     Democrat

That completes the interview. Thank you very much for your time and cooperation. Have a nice day/evening.

This poll was conducted by iMediaEthics and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Read the Post-Gazette’s news story on the poll and an op-ed piece by David Moore.