Earth Day Survey Reveals Growing Consensus on Global Warming

Study by Resolution Research Finds That a Majority of Americans Believe Global Warming Exists, and That Concerted Action Is Needed at Both the Individual and Institutional Levels to Combat It

 | Quelle: Resolution Research Resolution Research

DENVER, CO--(Marketwire - April 22, 2009) - Despite differences in age, education level and political affiliation, a majority of Americans are united in the belief that global warming is a proven scientific fact, according to consumer research released today, but they are split on how to fight it.

Among respondents in 2008, 62 percent said they believe global warming is proven, while one-quarter (26 percent) said it is merely a theory. The remaining 12 percent said they did not know enough about the issue to conclude one way or the other.

"If doubt is an impediment to effective action, then it's good news that nearly two-thirds of those surveyed in our study feel global warming is scientifically demonstrable," said Nina Nichols president of Resolution Research, a full-service market research company based in Denver, Colorado.

Resolution Research conducted the survey of 811 consumers on perceptions of global warming and the extent of their "green" activities.

"What is most remarkable about these findings is the unanimity of agreement among Americans from all walks of life," continued Nichols. "This kind of consensus drives broad-based consumer behavior -- and potentially profound change."

Among other findings:

Participants: Participants were drawn from ResolutionPanel.com, Resolution Research's internal custom panel of thousands of persons who've freely joined to participate in market research studies such as this.

Political Affiliation 

--  Nearly half (47%) of those who feel global warming is a scientific
    fact are Democrats while slightly more than half (51%) of those who feel it
    is a theory are Republicans.
--  The vast majority (80%) of the Democrats in the sample said they feel
    global warming is a fact. There is less consensus, however, among the
    Republicans - 38% of whom feel global warming is a fact while 49% feel it
    is a theory. Among Independents, nearly two-thirds (64%) feel it is a fact
    while 22% feel it is a theory.

Age differences 

--  The youngest respondents in the sample - those between the ages of 19-
    24 - are most inclined to regard global warming as a scientific fact.  In
    all, 77% of these respondents feel it is a fact, while only 17% regard it
    as a theory and only 6% were 'unsure.'
--  Only 53% of those in the 35-44 age category said they feel global
    warming is a scientific fact; and, about one-quarter of them feel it is a
    theory. And, while 10% (or less) of those in the other age categories said
    they were 'unsure,' 20% of the respondents in the 35-44 age category said
    they did not know enough about the topic to conclude one way or the other.

Approaches to solutions 

--  More than half (59%) of those who feel global warming is a scientific
    fact feel the government should be regulating green practices among
    businesses (compared to 24% among those who feel it is a theory and 41%
    among those who are 'unsure').
--  While fewer respondents feel the government should be regulating green
    practices among consumers, a larger percentage of those who feel global
    warming is a fact (40%) think the government should do so (compared to 13%
    of those who feel global warming is a theory and 30% of those who are
    'unsure').

More than half of the 811 participants, among a Resolution Research consumer panel, feel current efforts to curb the effects of global warming are either headed in the right direction or will eventually prove effective despite the environmental damage that has already been done. Perhaps more significantly, only 6% of the respondents feel too much damage has already been done for any effort to be effective. However, slightly more than one-third (36%) are concerned that not enough is currently being done to curb the effects of global warming.

For a report on the findings, visit the press room at www.ResolutionResearch.com.

About Resolution Research

Resolution Research is an independent, full-service market research firm conducting studies in the high-tech, medical, education, and utilities industries & more. Study types include telephone & online surveys, in-depth interviews, clinical trials, focus groups, taste tests, mock juries, and bulletin boards. Resolution Research is committed to providing its clients actionable solutions to improve their ROI by aiding decision-making abilities in the boardroom. For more information, go to www.ResolutionResearch.com.

Resolution Research hosts three panels: consumer, medical professionals, & IT/business execs. Persons interested in joining are welcome to visit www.ResolutionPanel.com to learn more.

Contact Information: For more information, please contact: Dan Mahoney CSG|PR www.csg-pr.com 970-405-8060