LSU Survey Results
Climate Change and Louisiana: The Heat Is On
Analysis of Global Climate Change survey.
Before the program, half of the audience felt that it was important to reduce greenhouse gases, even at he cost of losing jobs to other states. After the porogram, nearly 3/4 felt that way. The percentage of people who thought technology can solve the problem of global warming without major sacrifices more than doubled, from 28% to 58%. Support for more taxes on electricity went from zero, to over 28%. Before participating in the program, about a third of the audience favored increasing gasoline taxes to either discourage driving, or to encourage purchase of energy-efficient cars. After the program, half of the audience felt this way.
Support for tax breaks to encourage nuclear power doubled, from 35% to 71%.
After participating, there was a large drop in the number of people giving "Don't Know" as an answer. This is often the case with Louisiana Public Square audiences. Participation seems to foster taking a stand -- one way or another -- on the topic of disucssion.
How well do you feel that you understand the issue of global warming?
% Before % After Very well 35.7 35.7 Somewhat well 57.1 64.3 Not very well 7.1 0.0 Not well at all 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Thinking about what is said in the news, in your view, is the seriousness of global warming generally exaggerated, generally correct, or is it generally underestimated?
% Before % After Generally exaggerated 14.3 28.6 Generally correct 64.3 42.9 Generally underestimated 14.3 28.6 Don't know / Not available 7.1 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Do you believe global warming is caused by normal climate patterns or by people's behavior such as driving and burning too much fossil fuel like coal and oil?
% Before % After Normal climate patterns 28.6 40.0 People's behavior 50.0 60.0 Don't know / Not available 21.4 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Do you think the severity of recent hurricanes is most likely the result of global climate change, or is it just the kind of severe weather events that happen from time to time?
% Before % After Global climate change 42.9 46.2 Severe weather events that happen from time to time? 42.9 53.8 Don't know / Not available 14.3 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Which of the following statements comes closest to your view:
- Scientists mostly agree that global warming is happening and that it will harm the environment.
OR- There is a lot of disagreement between scientists about global warming and how serious its effects are on the environment.
% Before % After Mostly agree, will harm 50.0 50.0 A lot of disagreement 50.0 50.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 From what you know about global climate change or global warming, which one of the following statements comes closest to your opinion:
- Global climate change has been established as a serious problem, and immediate action is necessary.
- There is enough evidence that climate change is taking place and some action should be taken.
- We don't know enough about global climate change, and more research is necessary before we take any actions.
- Concern about global climate change is unwarranted.
% Before % After Serious problem, immediate action 21.4 21.4 Taking place, some action required 57.1 57.1 Don't know enough, more research needed 21.4 21.4 Concern unwarranted 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 What do you think is more important:
- Attracting industrial employers and new jobs to the state - even if it means an increase in greenhouse gases that cause global warming; OR
- Reducing greenhouse gases – even if it means losing some industrial employers and jobs to other states?
% Before % After Attracting industrial employers and new jobs 35.7 28.6 Reducing greenhouse gases 50.0 71.4 Don't know / Not available 7.1 0.0 Refused 7.1 0.0 Which of the following do you most agree with:
- To reduce global warming we will have to make major sacrifices
OR- can technology solve the problem without requiring major sacrifices?
p>For each of the following please tell whether you favor or oppose it as a way for government to reduce global warming:
% Before % After Requires making major sacrifices 57.1 41.7 Technology can solve the problem 28.6 58.3 Don't Know / Not Available 14.3 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Increase taxes on electricity so people use less of it
% Before % After Favor 0.0 28.6 Oppose 100.0 71.4 Don't Know / Not Available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Increase taxes on gasoline so people drive less or buy cars that use less gas
% Before % After Favor 35.7 50.0 Oppose 57.1 50.0 Don't Know / Not Available 7.1 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Give companies tax breaks to build nuclear power plants
% Before % After Favor 35.7 71.4 Oppose 42.9 28.6 Don't Know / Not Available 21.4 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Give companies tax breaks to produce more electricity from water, wind, and solar power
% Before % After Favor 85.7 92.3 Oppose 7.1 7.7 Don't Know / Not Available 7.1 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Place restrictions on greenhouse emissions from cars and industrial facilities such as power plants and factories
% Before % After Favor 78.6 84.6 Oppose 21.4 15.4 Don't Know / Not Available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Would you say the government is pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves or that it is run for the benefit of all the people?
% Before % After Few Big Interests 78.6 92.9 Benefit of all 7.1 7.1 Don't Know / Not Available 14.3 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 How much attention do you feel the government pays to what the people think when it decides what to do -- a good deal, some, or not much?
% Before % After Good Deal 0.0 0.0 Some 50.0 57.1 Not Much 35.7 42.9 Don't Know / Not Available 14.3 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statements:
I am generally well informed about this show's topic.
% Before % After Strongly agree 21.4 21.4 Agree 71.4 57.1 Neither agree nor disagree 0.0 14.3 Disagree 7.1 0.0 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't Know / Not Available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 I understand why people would disagree with my perspective on this issue.
% Before % After Strongly agree 21.4 7.1 Agree 64.3 57.1 Neither agree nor disagree 0.0 21.4 Disagree 14.3 14.3 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't Know / Not Available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Discussions - even those that involve serious disagreements - should be an important part of the political processes.
% Before % After Strongly agree 64.3 78.6 Agree 35.7 21.4 Neither agree nor disagree 0.0 0.0 Disagree 0.0 0.0 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't Know / Not Available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Democracy requires hearing from all sides of a political issue, even those with unpopular views.
% Before % After Strongly agree 57.1 85.7 Agree 42.9 14.3 Neither agree nor disagree 0.0 0.0 Disagree 0.0 0.0 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't Know / Not Available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0
Some questions and comments may be included in the program.
