14 DAY TRIAL // Experts from the Yale University and the George Mason University have recently finished compiling a new study regarding the views that American citizens have on global warming, and determined the fact that the population seems to be divided into six categories on the matter. They identified the alarmed, the concerned, the cautious, the disengaged, the doubtful, and the dismissive, and said that, while each group has its own views on climate change, they tend to see eye-to-eye when financial issues arise.
“When we talk about 'the American public' and its views on global warming, that's a misnomer. There is no single American voice on this issue,” explained the divide the director of the Yale Project on Climate Change, Anthony Leiserowitz, who is also a co-author of the new research. The study, which was conducted in collaboration with colleagues from the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, surveyed some 2,129 American citizens, who were then divided into six groups, according to their views.
The alarmed is the group that is convinced global warming is real and caused by humans, and that is most engaged in fighting it, both through direct and personal actions. The group represents about 18 percent of the general population. The concerned represent about 33 percent of the public, and they also agree that climate change and global warming are serious and widespread problems that need an immediate response. However, they've engaged in less actions on the matter than the alarmed.
The 19 percent of the population that was classified in the cautious group believe that global warming is indeed a problem, but are unsure whether the problem merits immediate attention, or whether it problem is as widespread as said. They don't see it as a personal threat at all. The disengaged do not know too much about the issue, have never taken any kind of interest in it, and are overall oblivious of what its happening. They represent 12 percent of the individuals surveyed.
The doubtful group are not exactly sure that global warming is happening, but say that, if it does, it certainly isn't caused by our actions, but that it's rather a natural occurrence. This 11 percent of the population perceives climate change as a distant threat. The dismissive group says that they know about global warming, but that they don't believe the phenomenon is happening. Therefore, it does not merit a national response, and the allocation of funds. They represent 7 percent of the general public.
“Too many climate change education and awareness campaigns have been like throwing darts in a dark room. Climate change is ultimately a human problem. If we want to constructively engage Americans in the solutions, we have to first know our audience,” Leiserowitz concluded.