Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
This is the second in a series of reports that details public views on science and scientists in areas that connect with Americans’ daily lives. An earlier report focused on climate, energy and the environment including the relationship between people’s beliefs about these issues and their behaviors related to the environment in everyday life.
Scholars have long debated the role knowledge about and understanding of science plays in shaping people’s views on science issues. The common supposition is that when ordinary people have different views from those of experts that the differences stem from knowledge gaps: If people knew more, the argument goes, they would agree with the experts. […]
While many Americans say they are concerned about the environment, a much smaller share — roughly two-in-ten — sees themselves as making an effort to live out that concern all the time. People focused on everyday environmentalism in this way also tend to be concerned about the issues of climate change but their beliefs about […]