Key findings about Americans’ confidence in science and their views on scientists’ role in society
Here is a roundup of key takeaways from our studies of U.S. public opinion about science issues and their effect on society.
Science Issues
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Science Issues
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How Americans feel about the satisfactions and stresses of modern life
Most Americans are at least somewhat happy with their lives, but some have grappled with issues like loneliness and work-life balance.
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Renewable energy is growing fast in the U.S., but fossil fuels still dominate
Solar and wind power use has grown rapidly in the past decade, but as of 2018 those sources accounted for under 4% of all energy used in the U.S.
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About one-in-five Americans use a smart watch or fitness tracker
Around three-in-ten Americans living in households earning $75,000 or more a year say they regularly wear a smart watch or fitness tracker.
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More Americans now see ‘very high’ preventive health benefits from measles vaccine
As in 2016, 88% of U.S. adults say its benefits outweigh the risks. And the share who consider its preventive benefits to be “very high” rose by 11 points to 56%.
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Americans say they’re changing behaviors to help the environment – but is it making a difference?
Most Americans say they’re changing at least one everyday behavior to help protect the environment, but are they doing enough to make a difference?
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Most Americans say climate change impacts their community, but effects vary by region
About seven-in-ten in Pacific states say climate change is affecting their local community at least some. That compares with 54% in Mountain states.
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U.S. Public Views on Climate and Energy
A majority of U.S. adults say they are taking at least some specific action in their daily lives to protect the environment, though Democrats and Republicans remain at ideological odds over the causes of climate change and the effects of policies to address it.
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Public Expresses Favorable Views of a Number of Federal Agencies
Americans express overwhelmingly favorable opinions of federal agencies like the Postal Service, the National Park Service, NASA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) despite historically low levels of public trust in the federal government.
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Before recent outbreak, vaping was on the rise in U.S., especially among young people
Amid questions over e-cigarettes and public health, here’s a look at what data shows about vaping in the U.S.
