Scientists' Beliefs

Research by the Political Psychology Research Group at Stanford University

Introduction Fundamentals Who Should Take Action Government Policy Economic Side Effects Willingness to Pay Priority Consequences of Global Warming Preparing for Possible Consequences Consumer Choices Attitude Strength Voter Behavior Opinions in the States Trust in Scientists Scientists' Beliefs Partisan Views Publications

Reliance on Science

Perceptions of the beliefs of scientists about global warming may influence people’s personal beliefs, especially among individuals who trust scientists. One might imagine that if scientists are perceived to agree about global warming in large numbers, this will encourage trusting individuals to adopt green opinions.

Americans' Beliefs About Agreement Among Scientists

Growing numbers of Americans have expressed the belief that a majority of natural scientists believe global warming has been happening. In 2010, 58% of Americans thought so, and in 2020, this proportion was 71% (see the figure below).

Percent of Americans who believed that more than 50% of climate scientists believe that global warming has been happening

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Scientific Views on Human Causation

In 2012, two-thirds of Americans reported the belief that among the many scientists who believe global warming has been happening, a majority of them believe this warming has been caused mostly by human activity, up from 57% of respondents who held that opinion in 2010.

Percent of Americans who believed that more than 50% of climate scientists who study the climate and think there has been global warming think that it has been human-caused

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References

Global Climate Change Vital Signs of the Planet. (n.d.). Scientific Consensus: Earth’s Climate is Warming.