Americans largely support U.S. joining international efforts to address climate change
Nearly all Democrats (92%) support a U.S. role in international efforts to reduce climate change impacts, as do 53% of Republicans.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Nearly all Democrats (92%) support a U.S. role in international efforts to reduce climate change impacts, as do 53% of Republicans.
Trust in scientists and medical scientists has fallen below pre-pandemic levels, with 29% of U.S. adults saying they have a great deal of confidence in medical scientists to act in the best interests of the public. This is down from 40% in November 2020 and 35% in January 2019, before COVID-19 emerged. Other prominent groups – including the military, police officers and public school principals – have also seen their ratings decline.
Two-thirds of Americans say the United States should prioritize developing renewable energy sources over expanding the production of fossil fuels.
Large shares of Americans support the U.S. taking steps to address global climate change and prioritize renewable energy development in the country. Still, fewer than half are ready to phase out fossil fuels completely and 59% oppose ending the production of gas-powered cars.
Americans offer a lackluster evaluation of how the country has balanced priorities during the coronavirus outbreak. Fewer than half say the country has given the right amount of priority to the needs of K-12 students, public health or quality of life.
As the drive to inoculate more people continues, here are 10 facts about Americans and COVID-19 vaccines.
46% of U.S. adults say the area where they live has had an extreme weather event over the past 12 months.
Americans are increasingly critical of the response to COVID-19 from elected officeholders and public health officials. Positive ratings of public health officials, such as those at the CDC, have fallen 10 points since August. And 60% of U.S. adults say they’ve felt confused as a result of changes to recommendations on how to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Several climate policies receive bipartisan support, despite Republicans and Democrats differing on the overall approach.
Overall, 46% of Americans say the statement “public health officials were unprepared for the outbreak” describes their views extremely or very well, including similar shares of Republicans and Democrats.
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