60 Minutes/Vanity Fair Poll

The Environment
March 30-April 3, 2016

In general, which comes closer to your opinion about protecting the environment and ensuring
economic growth? 1. We should ensure a strong economy, even if it means doing less to
protect the environment. 2. We should protect the environment, even if it means doing less to
ensure economic growth. 3. We can protect the environment and ensure economic growth at
the same time.

Environment v Economy why choose?

When it comes to protecting the environment or ensuring a strong economy, most Americans dont
accept the premise that you have to prioritize one over the other. Three in four Americans think we can
protect the environment and ensure economic growth at the same time. For those who feel they need
to choose, Americans pick protecting the environment (16%) over ensuring a strong economy (8%) by
two-to-one.
Republicans, Democrats, and independents all agree that we can do both, but while Republicans are
more concerned with the economy, Democrats and independents are more concerned with the
environment.
Protecting the Environment vs. Economic Growth
Total
Reps Dems Inds
Protect the environment
16%
9% 19% 17%
Ensure a strong economy
8
14
2
8
We can do both
76
76
79
74

Which comes closer to how you tend to think of the planet Earth - as an integrated system that
is a living organism unto itself, or as a non-living object with life forms on it?

Mother Earth is alive.

The ancient Greeks called the Earth Gaia and thought of it as a living goddess, and they may not have
been too far from how many Americans look at the Earth today. Three in four Americans think of the
planet Earth as an integrated system that is a living organism unto itself, while just 18% think of it
primarily as a non-living object with life forms on it. Most Americans regardless of party affiliation feel
this way, though Republicans (69%) are a little less likely than independents (74%) or Democrats
(77%).
You Think of the Planet Earth As
Total
Reps Dems Inds
A living organism unto itself
74%
69% 77% 74%
A non-living object with life forms
18
22
16
18

As far as you know, what do scientific studies conclude about global warming? Most scientific
studies conclude that global warming is real, most scientific studies conclude that global
warming is not real, or most scientific studies are divided, and there is no real consensus either
way.

Science saysGlobal warming is real.

Most Americans think the scientific consensus is that global warming does, in fact, exist. 61% think
most scientific studies conclude that global warming is real, while just 10% think that the majority of
scientific studies conclude the opposite: that global warming isnt real. About a quarter believe there is
no real agreement on the subject when it comes to scientific studies.
Three in four Democrats and six in 10 independents think scientific evidence points to global warming
being real, while this is true of just four in 10 Republicans.
Scientific Studies Conclude that Global Warming Is
Total
Reps Dems Inds
Real
61%
39% 78% 60%
Not real
10
18
6
10
Divided
26
42
13
28

If a political leader avoids giving an opinion on global warming by saying that theyre not a
scientist, do you think this is a reasonable position, or do think this is a cop-out?

Claiming you cant give an opinion on global warming because youre not a scientist is a cop-out.
Most Americans think that science tends to agree that global warming is real, so its perhaps not
surprising that most Americans dont think its a reasonable position for politicians to dodge global
warming. 65% of Americans think that its a cop-out if a political leader avoids giving an opinion on
global warming by saying that theyre not a scientist. Just 31% think this is a reasonable position.
In fact, even most Americans who think scientific evidence indicates that global warming isnt real still
think claiming ignorance on the subject is a cop-out.
Politicians Who Claim Ignorance about Global Warming
All
Scientific Studies Say Global Warming Is
Americans
Real
Not Real
Divided
A cop out
65%
75%
55%
46%
A reasonable position
31
22
40
50

Do you think most political leaders who say they do not believe in global warming really dont
believe global warming exists, or do you think most of them are just saying that for political
reasons?

Politicians believe in global warming, even if they say otherwise.

It turns out most Americans think politicians who say they dont believe in global warming are not telling
the truth. 68% of Americans think most political leaders who say they do not believe in global warming
are doing so for political reasons; just 24% think they really dont believe in global warming.
Democrats (80%) are the most skeptical of politicians who claim to disbelieve in global warming, but
even a slight majority of Republicans (53%) thinks they are just saying so for political reasons.
Really dont believe in global warming
Are just saying it for political reasons

Total
24%
68

Reps Dems Inds

38% 16% 23%
53
80
67

Who was the first U.S. President to order a formal study of global warming?

Most Americans dont pick Reagan as the first president to study global warming.
One Republican politician who did believe in global warming was former President Ronald Reagan, but
it turns out that many Americans might be surprised to find this out. Just 17% of Americans pick
Reagan as the president who first ordered a formal study of global warming, whose interest in the
subject led to the Montreal Protocol Treaty which began a concerted effort to phase out the production
of ozone-depleting gases. Instead, more Americans assume it must have been Democrat: 21% pick
Reagans predecessor Jimmy Carter and 19% pick the current Democratic president, Barack Obama.
Just 10% pick Theodore Roosevelt, and even fewer 7% - pick Richard Nixon.
Republicans may be the least concerned about global warming, but they are nonetheless more likely to
give Reagan the nod (25%) than independents (16%) or Democrats (12%).
First U.S. President to Order a Study of Global Warming
Total
Reps Dems Inds
Jimmy Carter
21%
21% 22% 21%
Barack Obama
19
13
25
17
Ronald Reagan
17
25
12
16
Theodore Roosevelt
10
9
11
9
Richard Nixon
7
9
6
6
Dont know
26
24
24
30

If global warming turns out to be real, which comes closest to your opinion? 1. It will likely
threaten the future of the human race, or 2. It will likely be something the human race can adapt
to, or its not my problem - I wont be around to see it.

If global warming is real, Republicans think that humans can probably handle it.
Even if global warming turns out to be real, many Americans think that humans will be able to manage.
45% of Americans, and 52% of Republicans, think humans will be able to adapt to global warming.
Other Americans are not so sure: 42% think it will likely threaten the future of the human race,
including 52% of Democrats. One in 10 Americans say its not their problem, as theyll be dead by then
anyway.
If Global Warming is Real, the Human Race Will
Total
Reps Dems Inds
Adapt
45%
52% 37% 48%
Be threatened
42
32
52
40
Not my problem
11
14
11
11

Some college activists have called for their colleges and universities to stop investing in fossil
fuels. Which comes closest to your opinion? 1. This is a good idea because it will send an
important message that will help to reduce global warming, or 2. This is a bad idea, because
colleges and universities use fossil fuels in their day to day operations, and it will do nothing to
reduce global warming.

Americans support colleges divesting in fossil fuels.

The fossil fuel divestment movement where student activists call upon their educational institutions to
stop investing in fossil fuels has been active on more than a thousand college campuses in the United
States, and most Americans like the idea behind it. 57% of Americans think its a good idea to demand
that their colleges stop investing in fossil fuels because it will send an important message that will help
to reduce global warming. Just 35% think its a bad idea because colleges and universities use fossil
fuels in their day to day operations, and it will do nothing to reduce global warming.
Most Democrats (71%) and independents (56%) think its a good idea, while most Republicans (55%)
think its a bad idea.
Activists Calling for their Colleges to Stop Investing in Fossil Fuels
Total
Reps Dems Inds
A good idea
57%
37% 71% 56%
A bad idea
35
55
23
35

If you could get rid of one of the following, which would do the most good for the environment cars, disposable diapers, nuclear power, cows, central heating, or China?

To help the environment, women would get rid of disposable diapers while men would get rid of China.
Want to help the environment? Just get rid of China, says about one in five Americans. 22% think
making China disappear which is the worlds biggest contributor to ozone depletion would be the
best thing for the environment from a list of six options, though just as many pick getting rid of nuclear
power (22%). 21% each pick getting rid of cars or eliminating disposable diapers, while fewer pick
getting rid of cows (6%) or central heating (2%)
The top choice for men (25%) is saying goodbye to China, while women think the best option is
eliminating disposable diapers (25%).
Things to Get Rid of to Help the Environment
Total
Men Women
China
22%
25% 18%
Nuclear power
22
22
23
Cars
21
22
21
Disposable diapers
21
17
25
Cows
6
7
5
Central heating
2
2
2

Some scientists estimate that sea levels could rise by several meters in the next century. If this
happens, what do you think youd miss the most - The Netherlands, Coney Island, Miami, New
Orleans, Venice, Bangladesh, or The North Pole?

Americans will miss Santa Clauss home when the ice caps melt.
With scientists estimating the rise of sea levels by several meters in the next century due to the melting
of the polar ice caps, many Americans think theyll most miss the North Pole when confronted with a list
of threatened locales. 21% pick the home of Santa Claus and his elves, though its closely followed by
two less remote options - New Orleans (19%) and Miami (19%) - two coastal U.S. cities that are among
the most at risk if sea levels rise. Far fewer would miss the perpetually sinking Venice (9%) or the Low
Lands of the Netherlands (9%). Just 6% would lament Coney Island going underwater, but thats more
than the 4% that would miss the entire nation of Bangladesh.
What Will You Miss the Most When Sea Levels Rise?
The North Pole
21%
New Orleans
19
Miami
19
The Netherlands
9
Venice
9
Coney Island
6
Bangladesh
4

If global warming turns out to be real, which of the following will you look forward to the most
1. No more ships crashing into icebergs, 2. Cheap oceanfront property in Ohio, 3. No more
singing White Christmas or 4. Spring Break in Canada?

The best thing about global warming? no more icebergs.

One good thing about the elimination of ice in the arctic as a result of global warming might be the
avoidance of disasters like the Titanic. 24% of Americans pick not having ships crashing into icebergs
as the greatest potential gift of global warming, ahead of being able to have Spring Break in Canada
(21%), Cheap oceanfront property in Ohio (19%), and never having to hear anyone sing Irving Berlins
White Christmas ever again.
The Best Thing About Global Warming Could Be
Total
Men
No more ships crashing into icebergs
24%
17%
Spring Break in Canada
21
23
Cheap oceanfront property in Ohio
19
23
No more singing White Christmas
15
16

Women
30%
19
16
15

__________________________________________________________________________________
This poll was conducted by telephone from March 30-April 3, 2016 among a random sample of 1,010 adults
nationwide. Data collection was conducted on behalf of CBS News by SSRS of Media, PA. Phone numbers were
dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones.
The poll employed a random digit dial methodology. For the landline sample, a respondent was randomly selected
from all adults in the household. For the cell sample, interviews were conducted with the person who answered
the phone.
Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish using live interviewers. The data have been weighted to
reflect U.S. Census figures on demographic variables.
The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus four percentage points.
The error for subgroups may be higher and is available by request. The margin of error includes the effects of
standard weighting procedures which enlarge sampling error slightly.
This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
60 Minutes/Vanity Fair Poll
The Environment
March 30-April 3, 2016
VF-01. In general, which comes closer to your opinion about protecting the environment and ensuring economic
growth? We should ensure a strong economy, even if it means doing less to protect the environment, We should
protect the environment, even if it means doing less to ensure economic growth, or We can protect the
environment and ensure economic growth at the same time.
* TOTAL RESPONDENTS *
****** Party ID ******
Total Reps Dems Inds
%
%
%
%

Ensure a strong economy

Protect the environment
Can do both
Dont know/no answer

8
16
76
1

14
9
76
1

2
19
79
--

8
17
74
1

VF-02. Which comes closer to how you tend to think of the planet Earth- as an integrated system that is a living
organism unto itself, or as a non-living object with life forms on it?
Living organism
Non-living object
Both equally (vol.)
Dont know/no answer

74
18
3
5

69
22
4
4

77
16
3
5

74
18
3
5

VF-03. As far as you know, what do scientific studies conclude about global warming? Most scientific studies
conclude that global warming is real, Most scientific studies conclude that global warming is not real, or Most
scientific studies are divided, and there is no real consensus either way.
Global warming is real
Global warming is not real
Studies are divided
Dont know/no answer

61
10
26
2

39
18
42
1

78
6
13
3

60
10
28
3

VF-04. Who was the first U.S. President to order a formal study of global warming?
Theodore Roosevelt
Richard Nixon
Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
Barack Obama
Dont know/no answer

10
7
21
17
19
26

9
9
21
25
13
24

11
6
22
12
25
24

9
6
21
16
17
30

VF-05. If a political leader avoids giving an opinion on global warming by saying that theyre not a scientist, do you
think this is a reasonable position, or do think this is a cop-out?
A reasonable position
A cop-out
Dont know/no answer

31
65
4

45
51
4

23
74
2

30
65
5

VF-06. Do you think most political leaders who say they do not believe in global warming really dont belive global
warming exists, or do you think most of them are just saying that for political reasons?
Dont believe global warming exists
Just for political reasons
Dont know/no answer

24
68
8

38
53
8

16
80
4

23
67
10

VF-07. Some college activists have called for their colleges and universities to stop investing in fossil fuels.
Which comes closest to your opinion? This is a good idea because it will send an important message that will help
to reduce global warming, Or This is a bad idea, because colleges and universities use fossil fuels in their day to
day operations, and it will do nothing to reduce global warming.

Good idea
Bad idea

* TOTAL RESPONDENTS *
****** Party ID ******
Total Reps Dems Inds
%
%
%
%
57
37
71
56
35
55
23
35

Dont know/no answer

10

VF-08. If you could get rid of one of the following, which would do the most good for the environment?

China
Nuclear power
Cars
Disposable diapers
Cows
Central heating
Dont know/no answer

Total
%
22
22
21
21
6
2
6

*** Gender ***

Men
Female
%
%
25
18
22
23
22
21
17
25
7
5
2
2
5
6

VF-09. Some scientists estimate that sea levels could rise by several meters in the next century. If this happens,
what do you think youd miss the most?
The North Pole
Miami
New Orleans
The Netherlands
Venice
Coney Island
Bangladesh
Dont know/no answer

21
19
19
9
9
6
4
13

21
20
20
7
9
6
2
14

21
18
19
11
9
5
5
12

VF-10. If global warming turns out to be real, which comes closest to your opinion? It will likely threaten the future
of the human race, It will likely be something the human race can adapt to, or Its not my problem - I wont be
around to see it.

Threaten the human race

Human race will adapt
Not my problem
Dont know/no answer

Total
%
42
45
11
1

****** Party ID ******

Reps Dems Inds
%
%
%
32
52
40
52
37
48
14
11
11
2
*
2

VF-11. If global warming turns out to be real, which of the following will you look forward to the most?

No more ships crashing into icebergs

Spring Break in Canada
Cheap oceanfront property in Ohio
No more singing White Christmas

* TOTAL RESPONDENTS *
*** Gender ***
Total Men
Female
%
%
%
24
17
30
21
23
19
19
23
16
15
16
15

Dont know/no answer

Total respondents:

21

21

20

1,010