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.