Poll: Most voters reject global warming denialism


by Sunny Hundal    
12:04 pm - December 16th 2009

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Three in four British voters believe Gordon Brown and world leaders are on an important mission at the climate change conference in Copenhagen, according to a new Guardian/ICM poll.

When ICM asked voters to say which of three statements most closely represented their view, 45% agreed that “world leaders are trying to tackle an important problem but they must not lose sight of the need to maintain human prosperity”.

And 30% agreed that “world leaders are trying to tackle the most serious threat facing mankind”.

Just 17% of respondents believed “the world’s leaders are panicking about an exaggerated threat”.

The poll confirms that outright denial of climate change is now the preserve of a minority in Britain; a mere 5% insist that the planet is not getting warmer at all.

… more at The Guardian

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Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
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Reader comments


Just shows that pollsters can get any result they want by the way in which they frame the questions. These have to be about the worse ever.

For example it is quite possible to agree that “world leaders are trying to tackle the most serious threat facing mankind” (in a worse case scenario, mankind is wiped out) and also with “the world’s leaders are panicking about an exaggerated threat” (as generally happens when people posit Armageddon theories).

In fact I do.

I still want to see a question along the lines of “how much are you prepared to pay in extra taxes/charges to combat global warming”?

Then get people to vote on it.

“I still want to see a question along the lines of “how much are you prepared to pay in extra taxes/charges to combat global warming”?”

How about ‘are you willing to see taxes moved from how much you earn to how much you pollute’? That might be a good one.

And most reject alarmism.
Excellent.

I thought public opinion had no influence on scientific fact anyway?

‘How about ‘are you willing to see taxes moved from how much you earn to how much you pollute’? That might be a good one.’

So I’ll pay more tax because of my 20 year old central heating system than someone wealthy enough to replace his roof with solar panels or build his own wind turbine?

7. douglas clark

Richard,

Have you read any of Unity’s posts on here?

There is really no arguement worth having about the fact of AGW.

The arguement now is about what’s to be done about it. Which is a political debate.

I still want to see a question along the lines of “how much are you prepared to pay in extra taxes/charges to combat global warming”?

Polls say they’re also willing to pay more in order to deal with climate change.

Just shows that pollsters can get any result they want by the way in which they frame the questions. These have to be about the worse ever.

Not surprising you think that since all you want to do is pretend the opposite is true. But in fact most polls show this result every time. Even the recent Times poll, which they tried to portray as otherwise, showed most people were worried about climate change.

See: recent post by climate sock for both points

“There is really no arguement worth having about the fact of AGW.”

Then a poll showing people either supporting or rejecting global warming denialism is irrelevant.

“Polls say they’re also willing to pay more in order to deal with climate change.”

Ah, but will they vote for it though? Like people who say they’re happy to pay higher taxes then go and vote Tory. Have the questions asked whether the particular individual is happy to pay more or do they just specify “people” generally (which may cause the person being questioned to assume someone else will be paying e.g. car drivers or the rich).

Then a poll showing people either supporting or rejecting global warming denialism is irrelevant.

Not really – it’s rare for a majority to believe something so obviously false, but it is perfectly possible for a politically significant proportion of people to do so; for example, that does seem to be the case in the US.

Such indefensible positions are like the military equivalent – if you keep air-dropping in supplies, you can keep them going as long as you have money and resources to burn.

It’s hideously expensive, but those pushing that line do have that kind of money to spend.

11. david morris

I find your use of the word “denialism”in this context completely unacceptable, as it resonates with “Holocaust Denial”, & therefore attempts to disrupt constructive debate.

By all means vigorously discuss the concept of AGW but don’t for one moment try to connect those who remain unconvinced, with those fruitcakes who still try to stand aloof from the actual physical evidence of the extermination factories discovered towards the end of WW2.

Many years of empirical and experimental research ,supported by the Danish Science Ministry may help to inject the only other possible alternative explaination into the arena.
that I have come across.
I’m suprised it has not been covered.
Enjoy.its quite fascinating.

The Cloud Mystery, 6 parts, 52 minutes. (switches over to English narration after a few minutes.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKoUwttEOBA

Well that link I supplied above doesn’t seem to take you straight to the youtube video,
for some strange reason.
Shit modern technology!


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