Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
While wind and solar power are still popular overall, Americans have become less supportive of these sources since the first Trump administration. This shift has been driven by sharp declines in support among Republicans.
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Just over half of U.S. adults (53%) say they’ve gotten neither the flu shot nor the updated COVID-19 vaccine since last August.
A majority of Americans ages 21 and older (57%) say their own alcohol use does not increase their risk of serious physical health problems.
Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults (72%) say the COVID-19 pandemic did more to drive the country apart than to bring it together.
Nearly six-in-ten Americans (58%) say the U.S. benefits from its membership in the World Health Organization.
Among Republicans, 56% think climate policies usually hurt the U.S. economy. By contrast, 52% of Democrats say they usually help.
Democrats and those who lean to the Democratic Party are more likely than Republicans and Republican leaners to say they will get an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Americans’ trust in scientists is slightly higher than it was last year, but remains lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Roughly seven-in-ten Hispanic adults (69%) say that having a Hispanic high school STEM teacher would make young Hispanic people more likely to pursue these degrees.
Overall, 44% of Americans support more hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas in the United States, while 53% oppose it.
We took a closer look at how Americans’ views and experiences have evolved on a variety of topics over the last 20 years.
Public views are tied to how these technologies would be used and what constraints would be in place.
Majorities across 20 publics say government investments in scientific research are worthwhile and express a lot or some confidence in scientists to do what is right for the public.
Majorities of Americans say the United States should prioritize the development of renewable energy sources and take steps toward the country becoming carbon neutral by the year 2050. But just 31% want to phase out fossil fuels completely, and many foresee unexpected problems in a major transition to renewable energy.
Majorities say scientific research on gene editing is a misuse – rather than an appropriate use – of technology. But public acceptance of gene editing for babies depends on how it will be used, and views often differ by age and religion.
